Only page of title Very Easy
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[With steady but increasing pace the world is approaching a
point at which the cleverness of the young will amount to a
social problem. Already things are getting uncomfortable for
persons of age and sobriety, whose notion of happiness is to
ruminate a few solid and simple ideas in freedom from
disturbance. -- _Macmillan's Magazine._] Do you wonder that senility should find
Your encyclopaedic knowledge somewhat trying
To the ordinary mind?
In the heyday of a former generation,
Some respect for our intelligence was shown;
And it's hard for us to cotton
To the fact that _you've_ forgotten
More than _we_ have ever known!
When the "chassis" of your motors you discuss?
Do you wonder that your "shop" is rather boring
To such simple souls as us? [1]
Do you marvel that your dreary conversation
Should evoke the yawns that "lie too deep for tears,"
When you lecture to your betters
About "tanks" and "carburettors,"
About "sparking-plugs" and "gears"?
(Which delightful days no longer now exist! )
We could join with other fogeys of our own age
In a quiet game of whist.
_Now_, at bridge, our very experts are defeated
By some beardless but impertinent young cub,
Who converts our silent table
To a very Tow'r of Babel,
At the Knickerbocker Club!
'Tis a fact we older fellows must deplore,
Whose opinions and whose judgments are neglected,
As they never were before.
We may tender good advice to our descendants;
We may offer them our money, if we will;
Lo, the one shall be forsaken,
And the other shall be taken
(Like the women at the mill! ).
I have hidden in the centre of my song!
Do not contradict a relative maternal,
If she happens to be wrong!
Be indulgent to the author of your being;
Never show him the contempt that you must feel;
Treat him tolerantly, rather,
Since a man who is _your_ father
Can't be wholly imbecile!
At whose feet you ought (in theory) to sit,
Are bewildered by your mental penetration,
We are dazzled by your wit!
But we hopefully anticipate a future
When the airship shall replace the motor-'bus,
And _your_ children, when they meet you,
Shall inevitably treat you
Just as you are treating us!
