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189

Gaudeamus Igitur!

[_]

German Air.

Gaudeamus igitur!
Gaudeamus while you may!
While the fleet hour lightly passes,
Honest men and bonnie lasses,
Breathe unchartered breath to-day!
Gaudeamus igitur!
He is wise who knows to prize
Honest men and bonnie lasses,
Kindly cheer and brimming glasses,
Blooming cheeks and beaming eyes.
190

Gaudeamus! wouldst thou lightly
Find the charm that saves the wise,
Soar not high to realms supernal,
Dive not down to dens infernal,
Look around with loving eyes!
Gaudeamus! stray not far!
Pleasure walks in trodden ways;
At thy feet the fair flower gather,
Brightest where it grows the heather
Purples all the Highland braes!
Gaudeamus! do not puzzle,
Whence or whither? who can know?
Here we are with hearing, seeing,
To make harvest of our being,
While the summers come and go!
191

Gaudeamus! who will show us,
Quoth the Psalmist, any good?
Live, and make no curious comment,
Firmly grasp the fruitful moment;
What thy grasp may hold is good.
Gaudeamus! use the present,
In the present there is power;
Honest men and bonnie lasses,
Blooming cheeks and brimming glasses,
That's my gospel for the hour!
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