MY 71st YearAfter surmounting three-score and ten,With all their chances, changes, losses, sorrows,My parents’ deaths, the vagaries of my life, the many tearingpassions of me, the war of ’63 and ’4,As some old broken soldier, after a long, hot, wearying march, orhaply after battle,To-day at twilight, hobbling, answering company roll-call, Here,with vital voice,Reporting yet, saluting yet the Officer over all.
After surmounting three-score and ten,With all their chances, changes, losses, sorrows,My parents’ deaths, the vagaries of my life, the many tearingpassions of me, the war of ’63 and ’4,As some old broken soldier, after a long, hot, wearying march, orhaply after battle,To-day at twilight, hobbling, answering company roll-call, Here,with vital voice,Reporting yet, saluting yet the Officer over all.