With peace and rest <br />And wisdom sage, <br />Ripeness is best <br />Of every age. <br />With hands that fold <br />In pensive prayer, <br />For grave-yard mold <br /> Prepare. <br /> <br />From fighting free <br />With fear forgot, <br />Let ripeness be, <br />Before the rot. <br />With heart of cheer <br />At eighty odd, <br />How man grows near <br /> To God! <br /> <br />With passion spent <br />And life nigh run <br />Let us repent <br />The ill we've done. <br />And as we bless <br />With happy heart <br />Life's mellowness <br /> --Depart.<br /><br />Robert William Service<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ripeness/
