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Abstemius's Fables (Sir Roger L'Estrange)

277. (Abstemius 24) A Young Droll and a Crooked Old Man.

A Gibing Young Knave happen'd to meet an Old Man, whose Age and Infirmity had brought his Body to the Shape of a Bent Bow. Pray Father (says he) will you sell your Bow? Save your Money ye fool you, says T'other; for when You come to my Years, you shall have such a Bow for Nothing.
He that would not live to be Old, had best be Hang'd when he's Young.