Unbidden I come with an old man’s prayer: May it seek your hearts, and gain entrance there! Look on my face, seamed, not with crime, But with marks of age before their time: These long white hairs should not have shown Till ten more years had by me flown. Age is upon me; not age by years, But age by sorrow and care and tears; Not age that cheers as it draweth near Yon heaven which seemeth more bright and clear, But age which causes the heart to lag In its onward course, and the spirit to flag; That prays for death as but a release From earthly care, and finds no peace In that sweet belief that at last I hail, — ‘There is rest for the weary beyond the vale.’ For to me has come a spirit of light, Bringing the morning, and chasing the night; Causing my heart with joy to swell To my Maker, ‘who doeth all things well.’ You shall hear my story: ’twill not be long, And may guard you all from sin and from wrong. I had wealth and plenty in goodly lands, In houses and cattle; and from my hands Many were fed; and many were they Who partook of my charity day by day. My house was open to stranger and friend; And my gold did I lavishly, freely spend. But one bitter curse did my wealth uprear To poison my life, – the tempter here, The sparkling demon, which now I see From all your glasses glaring on me, — A monster who steals on its prey so slow, That it has your life before you know Or dream of its power: this was the curse That sat at my fire-side, robbed my purse, Poisoned my life, and left me to be A drifting log on the world’s wide sea, Ruined and bankrupt, lost and bereft; No kindred, no fortune, no treasure, left. Treasure! – yes; for I had three sons, The hope of my life, – three noble ones. You shall hear their fate, and then I’ll away, Nor longer your hour of pleasure delay. One sought as a merchant hopeful to clear