An Ode for Mr Jagger

90th Birthday Tribute

John Jagger, a generous benefactor to the Oxford college where I work, Jesus, turned a youthful 90 this March. Educated at Bradford Grammar School and Oxford (where he studied with my predecessor, Classics tutor John Griffiths) John had a successful career working in senior positions for Grand Met (now Diageo) in the brewery and entertainment business. Having retired to Ilkley, Yorkshire, he continues to live a very active life with his wife Jane, enjoying golf and travel.

John’s 90th birthday was celebrated with a dozen friends at Jesus College, where a concert of ancient Greek songs was put on by graduates, and “When I’m 94” was performed by undergraduate Sam Honeybone on clarinet and me on the cello. I then presented John with an ode in Latin elegiac verse “Tu vetus es” based on Lewis Carroll’s “You are old, father William”, which (with John’s permission) I print and read here in English and Latin:

You are old, Father Jagger," the young man said,
"And your hair has become very white;
Yet the love of the Classics remains in your head:
Do you think at your age that is right?"

"In my youth," John replied, looking down at the lad,
"I was taught by John Griffiths at Jesus;
My school, BGS, was the best start I had,
And these early foundations still please us."

"From Oxford, then,” prodded the youth, "you were sent
To Grand Met, where you made quite a stir;
From Websters to Watneys the brewers you went:
Please tell us your secret, good sir.”

"In those days," John replied, “I could open all doors:
"I made Carlsberg a massive success.
I then worked in America, far from these shores,
It was jolly good fun, I confess."

"You’ve not stopped," said the lad, "Now you're married to Jane,
And must tend to your Ilkley estate,
You still travel and golf, and your hobbies maintain;
Don’t you wish you had less on your plate?"

"I have answered three questions, and that is enough,"
Said John sharply, "now bridle your tongue.
You are wasting my time with this “You are old” stuff:
See – today I am ninety years young."

‘Tu vetus es’, dixit iuvenis, ‘candesque capillos,
nec desunt capiti Littera Prisca tibi.
Num recte, quippe es senior?’ Responsa Ioannes
adfert dum iuvenem respicit altus avus.
‘Me puerum quondam Jesu Collegium alebat,
necnon Bradfordi ludus amandus erat:
fundamenta placent’. ‘Sed deinde’ ait ille, ‘volabas
ad Solios Grandes’ (nomina multa refert).
‘Vero successus habui,’ respondit, ‘et ultro
gaudens tum vidi multa aliena loca’.
‘Haud tibi finis adest’, ait alter, ‘namque maritus
Janae, illam curans atria et alma fovens,
orbem percurris, iucunda et ludicra carpens:
nonne operum nimium perficis atque super?’
‘En, tria nunc responsa dedi’ strepit inde Ioannes,
‘nonaginta adsum, iunior atque putor!’

(Literal translation:

You are old”, said the youth, “and your hair is white
And you still have a mind for ancient Classics.
Can that be right, given your age?” Old John 
Replied, looking down at the youth:
“As a boy Jesus College once nourished me,
Nor was Bradford school less admirable.
I cherish these foundations.” “But then”, said the lad, “you soared
To Great Heights (he named several of these)."
“True, I was very successful,” John replied, “and above all
In those days I enjoyed visiting many places abroad.”
“There’s no stopping you”, said the lad, “since you’re married
To Jane,  you look after her and your lovely home,
And you tour the world, enjoying fun and games:
Aren’t you doing too much and more?”
“Look, I’ve given three answers”, growled John,”
Here I am, at 90 - and in people's minds I’m young!” )