Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
Old Grimes
By Albert Gorton Greene (1802–1868)O
We never shall see more:
He used to wear a long, black coat,
All buttoned down before.
His feelings all were true;
His hair was some inclined to gray,—
He wore it in a queue.
His breast with pity burned;
The large, round head upon his cane
From ivory was turned.
He knew no base design:
His eyes were dark and rather small,
His nose was aquiline.
In friendship he was true:
His coat had pocket-holes behind,
His pantaloons were blue.
He passed securely o’er,
And never wore a pair of boots
For thirty years or more.
Nor fears misfortune’s frown;
He wore a double-breasted vest;
The stripes ran up and down.
And pay it its desert;
He had no malice in his mind,
No ruffles on his shirt.
Was sociable and gay,
He wore large buckles on his shoes,
And changed them every day.
He did not bring to view,—
Nor make a noise, town-meeting days,
As many people do.
In trust to fortune’s chances;
But lived (as all his brothers do)
In easy circumstances.
His peaceful moments ran;
And everybody said he was
A fine old gentleman.