THOU, oh, Mirth, with laughing eye, Spread thy empire o'er my soul; No cares obtrude when thou art by, To crown the bright nectareous bowl. Leave the rich to pomp and splendour; Happiness they cannot render. Let the miser heap his hoard; Mirth shall bless the festive board. Friendship and the smiling muse Their influence all around diffuse. Now the flute with mellow sound Invites thee to the feast; The lively hautboy echoes round, We form the sprightly jest. O'er the mantling generous wine, Good humour and delight combine: Genial Pleasure for a while, Bids her votaries gaily smile. Pleasure twines the rosy wreath, And bids inspiring music breathe, While we lead the circling dance; Oh! Mirth, to join the airy maze, advance. Mirth has heard the festive measure, We devote the day to pleasure; Let the miser heap his hoard, Mirth shall crown the social board. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PISGAH SIGHTS by ROBERT BROWNING THE FOUNTAIN by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE CITY DEAD-HOUSE by WALT WHITMAN RUTGERS COLLEGE HYMN by LOUIS BEVIER JR. SONNETS WRITTEN IN AN IRISH PRISON: HER NAME LIBERTY by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT FIRST MUSICIAN'S SONG, FR. LAODICE AND DANAE by GORDON BOTTOMLEY |