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English melodies

By Charles Swain

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159

'TIS BETTER THAT LIFE SHOULD BE MERRY.

Old Time takes a glass to remind him of hours,
And we take a glass to forget them;
'Tis better by far to enjoy Pleasure's flowers—
Than, after they're gone, to regret them:
Old Time may despise, with a feeling sublime,
Our bumpers of claret or sherry!
But we, with all proper submission to Time,
Think it better that life should be merry;
Be merry!
Think it better that life should be merry.
Old Time takes a scythe, us poor mortals to chase,
And cuts all his friends without measure;
We'd ne'er take a scythe, were we but in his place,
Unless the glad harvest was pleasure!

160

Old Time may take pride over ages to climb,
Bringing hosts for old Charon to ferry;
But we, with all proper submission to Time,
Think it better that life should be merry;
Be merry!
Think it better that life should be merry.