Oldman and youth.

Barley and wheat fields he possess'd, and well,

Though rich, loved justice; wherefore all the

flood

That turn'd his mill-wheels was unstain'd with

mud,

And in his smithy blazed no fire of hell.

He walked his way of life straight on, and plain,

With justice cloth'd, like linen white and clean;

And ever rustling toward the poor, I ween,

Like public fountains ran his sacks of grain.

Good master, faithful friend, in his estate

Frugal, yet generous beyond the youth,

He won regard of woman; for, in sooth,

The young man may be fair, the old man's great.

V. Hugo.