The Old Man's WISH.  

IF I live to grow old, (for I find I go down,) let this be my Fate, in a  
Countery Town; Let me have a warm House, with a Stone at the  
Gate, and a cleanly young Girl to rub my bald Pate; May I  
govern my Passion with an absolute sway, and grow wiser and  
better as my Strength wears a— way, without Gout or Stone by a  
gentle decay, By a gen— gentle de-cay.   

2.  
In a Country Town,  
by a murmuring Brook,  
The Ocean at distance  
on which I may look;  
With a spacious Plain  
without Hedge or Style,  
And an easy Pad Nag  
to ride out a Mile:  
May I govern my passion▪  
with an absolute sway,  
And grow wiser and better  
as my strength wears away,  
Without Gout or Stone,  
by a gentle decay, etc.   

3.  
With a Pudding on Sunday,  
and stout humming Liquor,  
And Remnants of Latin  
to puzzle the Vicar;  
With a hidden Reserve  
of Burgundy Wine,  
To drink the King's Health  
as oft as I Dine.  
May I govern my passion, etc.   

4.  
With Plutarch, and Horace,  
and One or Two more  
Of the best Wits that lived  
in the Ages before.  
With a Dish of roast Mutton,  
Not Venison, nor Teal,  
And clean (though course) Linen  
at every Meal;  
May I govern my passion, etc.   

5.  
With Courage Undaunted  
may I pass my last day,  
And when I am Dead,  
may the better sort say,  
In the Morning when sober,  
in th' Evening when mellow,  
He's gone, and has left  
not behind him his fellow.  
For he governed his passion  
as his strnegth did decay,  
And grew wiser and better  
as his strength wore away;  
Without Gout or Stone,  
by a gentle decay, etc.    

Sold by N. T. at the entrance into Old Spring Garden at Charing-cross.