LIVE MERRILY
Why pensive, mortals? Why still? Why sad?
Cheer up, dear fellows, and be glad.
Live merrily—live while you may,
Gaily, gaily tripping along life’s way,
Waste not—dejectedly brooding—waste not these few brief, fleeting hours,
After death, as after night, dawns the brighter, fairer day.
Be happy, then, be thankful, grateful as the conscious, smiling flowers.
Have hope, have faith, have charity;
Trust to inherit immortality.
At Pleasure’s fount dip deep;
In its pure, ecstatic tide thy troubles steep.
Grave saint—if righteous souls shall joyous live again
Why should we sorrow here? Why vainly foster care and pain?
Nay, nay, most happy presence, acquainted best with joy and love
Are those best fitted, sir, for life—for sacred, hallowed life above.