Saxe, John Godfrey -- “I’m Growing Old,” st. 3

Dave — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 14:50:18 +0000

I’m growing fonder of my staff;
I’m growing dimmer in the eyes;
I’m growing fainter in my laugh;
I’m growing deeper in my sighs;
I’m growing careless of my dress;
I’m growing frugal of my gold;
I’m growing wise; I’m growing, — yes, —
I’m growing old!

John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887) American poet and satirist
“I’m Growing Old,” st. 3
(Source)

Saxe, John Godfrey -- “The Blind Men and the Elephant,” st. 8 and “Moral” (c. 1861; publ. 1872)

Dave — Fri, 08 May 2020 23:06:53 +0000

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong.
Though each was partly in the right
And all were in the wrong!

So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!

John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887) American poet and satirist
“The Blind Men and the Elephant,” st. 8 and “Moral” (c. 1861; publ. 1872)
(Source)

Saxe introduced the parable, which dates back to India (c. 500 BC) to American audiences. He wrote the poem originally against what he felt was extremism on both sides that led the the American Civil War.

WIST Quotations

Saxe, John Godfrey -- “I’m Growing Old,” st. 3

Saxe, John Godfrey -- “The Blind Men and the Elephant,” st. 8 and “Moral” (c. 1861; publ. 1872)