Virginia Free Press

To the Editors of the Free Press.

A subscriber of yours, recently looking over a bundle of old papers which has not been opened for many years, found a manuscript paper with the lines (given below) written by the Hon. Henry St. George Tucker, dec'd, (father of the present Judge Henry St. George.) on his being solicited to know why he had ceased to court the poetic muse. To the inquiry, he gave an immediate response. Although a scrap, 'tis an evidence that his poetic fancy was not blighted by age; and every thing, these momentous times, ought to be noticed that will serve to perpetuate the memory, and remind the present race of the good old patriots and worthies who lived in times to try men's souls, and who are now, I hope, mingling in Heaven, where they are rewarded for their many good deeds whilst living in this world, and particularly that inestimable legacy (Liberty) bequeathed to their posterity.

The lines are here given, and if you think proper you can give them a place in your paper.

"Days of my youth, ye have glided away;
Hairs of my youth, ye are frosted and gray;
Eyes of my youth, your keen sight is no more;
Cheeks of my youth, ye are furrowed all o'er;
Strength of my youth, all your vigor is gone;
Thoughts of my youth, your gay visions are flown;
Days of my youth, I wish not your recall;
Hairs of my youth, I'm content ye should fall;
Eyes of my youth, ye much evil have seen;
Cheeks of my youth, bathed in tears ye have been;
Thoughts of my youth, ye have led me astray;
Strength of youth, why lament your decay?
Days of my age, ye will shortly be past;
Pains of my age, yet a while ye can last;
Joys of my age, in true wisdom delight;
Eyes of my age, be religion your light;
Thoughts of my age, dread ye not the cold sod:
Hopes of my age, be ye fixed on your God."

Jefferson county, June 16, 1835.

[The foregoing lines are familiar to many of our readers. They have frequently gone the rounds of the newspapers; but they will bear repeating.--Editors.]