In school we were expected to participate in a poem recitation competition every year. Once a poem by Lord Tennyson was selected,and I participated in it. I was able to recite all the stanzas of the poem. But now after nine decades I only remember the first stanza, as under,

There was a sage in days of yore,
and he a handsome pigtail wore.
But wondered much and borrowed more,
because it hung behind him.

The rest I have forgotten as a result of ageing.