The Glory of Age

“What is the glory of age?” I said,

“A hoard of gold and a few dear friends?

When you've reached the day that you look ahead

And see the place where your journey ends,

When Time has robbed you of youthful might —

What is the secret of your delight?”

And an old man smiled as he answered me:

“The glory of age is n't gold or friends,

When we've reached the valley of Soon-To-Be

And note the place where our journey ends;

The glory of age, be it understood,

Is a boy out there who is making good.

“The greatest joy that can come to man

When his sight is dim and his hair is gray;

The greatest glory that God can plan

To cheer the lives of the old to-day,

When they share no more in the battle yell,

Is a boy out there who is doing well.”