Tomorrow

In the downhill of life, when I find I'm declining,
May my lot no less fortunate be
Than a snug elbow-chair can afford for reclining,
And a cot that o'erlooks the wide sea;
With an ambling pad-pony to pace o'er the lawn,
While I carol away idle sorrow,
And blithe as the lark that each day hails the dawn
Look forward with hope for tomorrow.

With a porch at my door, both for shelter and shade too,
As the sunshine or rain may prevail;
And a small spot of ground for the use of the spade too,
With a barn for the use of the flail:
A cow for my diary, a dog for my game,
And a purse when a friend wants to borrow;
I'll envy no nabob his riches or fame,
Nor what honours await him tomorrow.

From the bleak northern blast may my coat be completely
Secured by a neighbouring hill;
And at night may repose steal upon me more sweetly
By the sound of the murmuring rill:
And while peace and plenty I find at my board,
With a heart free from sickness and sorrow,
With my friends may I share what today may afford,
And let them spread the table tomorrow.

And when I at last must throw off this frail covering
Which I've worn for threescore years and ten,
On the brink of the grave I'll not seek to keep hovering
Nor my thread wish to spin o'er again:
But my face in the glass I'll serenely survey;
And with smiles count each winkle and furrow
As this old worn-out stuff, which is threadbare today,
May become everlasting tomorrow.

By John Collins, from Palgrave's Golden Treasury