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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ROGER BONTEMPS; IMITATED FROM BERANGER by JOHN GODFREY SAXE

First Line: BY WAY OF GOOD EXAMPLE
Last Line: OF ROBIN MERRYMAN!
I.

By way of good example
To all the gloomy clan,
There came into existence
Good Robin Merryman.
To laugh at those who grumble,
And be jolly as he can, --
Oh that's the only system
Of Robin Merryman!

II.

A hat so very ancient
It might have covered Moses,
Adorned, on great occasions,
With ivy-leaves or roses;
A coat the very coarsest
Since tailoring began, --
Oh that's the gay apparel
Of Robin Merryman!

III.

Within his cottage Robin
With joyful eye regards
A table and a bedstead,
A flute, a pack of cards,
A chest, with nothing in it,
An earthen water-can, --
Oh these are all the riches
Of Robin Merryman!

IV.

To teach the village children
The funniest kind of plays;
To tell a clever story;
To dance on holidays;
To puzzle through the almanac;
A merry song to scan, --
Oh that is all the learning
Of Robin Merryman!

V.

To drink his mug of cider,
And never sigh for wine;
To look at courtly ladies,
Yet think his Mag divine;
To take the good that's going,
Content with nature's plan, --
Oh that is the philosophy
Of Robin Merryman!

VI.

To say, "O Gracious Father!
Excuse my merry pranks;
For all thy loving-kindness
I give thee hearty thanks;
And may I still be jolly
Through life's remaining span," --
Oh that's the style of praying
With Robin Merryman!

VII.

Now, all ye wretched mortals
Aspiring to be rich;
And ye whose gilded coaches
Have tumbled in the ditch;
Leave off your silly whining,
Adopt a wiser plan;
Go follow the example
Of Robin Merryman!



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