Poems of James Clarence Mangan (Many hitherto uncollected): Centenary edition: Edited, with preface and notes by D. J. O'Donoghue: Introduction by John Mitchel |
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 | V. |
BE MERRY AND WISE. |
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 | Poems of James Clarence Mangan |  |
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BE MERRY AND WISE.
No beauty, no glory remaineth
Below the unbribable skies;
All beauty but winneth and waneth—
All glory but dazzles and dies.
Below the unbribable skies;
All beauty but winneth and waneth—
All glory but dazzles and dies.
Since multitudes cast in a gay mould
Before us have lived and have laughed—
To the slumberers under the claymould
Let goblet on goblet be quaffed!
Before us have lived and have laughed—
To the slumberers under the claymould
Let goblet on goblet be quaffed!
For millions in centuries after
Decay shall have crumbled our bones,
As lightly with revel and laughter
Will fill their progenitors' thrones.
Decay shall have crumbled our bones,
As lightly with revel and laughter
Will fill their progenitors' thrones.
Here banded together in union
Our bosoms are joyous and gay,
How blest, could our festive communion
Remain to enchant us for aye!
Our bosoms are joyous and gay,
How blest, could our festive communion
Remain to enchant us for aye!
But Change is omnipotent ever;
Thus knitted we cannot remain;
Wide waves and high hills will soon sever
The links of our brotherly chain.
Thus knitted we cannot remain;
Wide waves and high hills will soon sever
The links of our brotherly chain.
Yet even though far disunited
Our hearts are in fellowship still,
And all, if but one be delighted,
Will hear it with sympathy's thrill.
Our hearts are in fellowship still,
And all, if but one be delighted,
Will hear it with sympathy's thrill.
And if, after years have gone o'er us,
Fate brings us together once more,
Who knows but the mirth of our chorus
May yet be as loud as before!
Fate brings us together once more,
Who knows but the mirth of our chorus
May yet be as loud as before!
| Poems of James Clarence Mangan | |