Sonnet 24 - Once did I hear an aged father say

Once did I hear an aged father say

Unto his son who with attention hears

What age and wise experience ever clears

From doubts of fear, or reason to betray,

'My Son,' said he, 'behold thy father, grey:

I once had as thou hast, fresh tender years,

And like thee sported, destitute of fears,

But my young faults made me too soon decay;

Love once I did, and like thee feared my love,

Led by the hateful thread of jealousy,

Striving to keep, I lost my liberty,

And gained my grief which still my sorrows move.

In time shun this; to love is no offence

But doubt in youth, in age breeds penitence.