Old Grimes

Albert G. Greene (1802–1868)

OLD GRIMES is dead, that good old man,—

We ne’er shall see him more;

He used to wear a long black coat,

All buttoned down before.

His heart was open as the day,

His feelings all were true;

His hair was some inclined to gray,—

He wore it in a queue.

Whene’er he heard the voice of pain,

His breast with pity burned;

The large round head upon his cane

From ivory was turned.

Kind words he ever had for all;

He knew no base design;

His eyes were dark and rather small,

His nose was aquiline.

He lived at peace with all mankind,

In friendship he was true;

His coat had pocket-holes behind,

His pantaloons were blue.

Unharmed, the sin which earth pollutes

He passed securely o’er,—

And never wore a pair of boots

For thirty years or more.

But good Old Grimes is now at rest,

Nor fears misfortune’s frown;

He wore a double-breasted vest,—

The stripes ran up and down.

He modest merit sought to find,

And pay it its desert;

He had no malice in his mind,

No ruffles on his shirt.

His neighbors he did not abuse,—

Was sociable and gay;

He wore large buckles on his shoes,

And changed them every day.

His knowledge, hid from public gaze,

He did not bring to view,

Nor make a noise town-meeting days,

As many people do.

His worldly goods he never threw

In trust to fortune’s chances,

But lived (as all his brothers do)

In easy circumstances.

Thus undisturbed by anxious cares

His peaceful moments ran;

And everybody said he was

A fine old gentleman.

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