Love
Oh, Why not be Happy?
Translated by Leopold Wray (1888) · From Various Pieces
Oh, why not be happy this bright summer day,
'Mid perfume of roses and newly-mown hay?
Great Nature is smiling--the birds in the air
Sing love-lays together, and all is most fair.
Then why not be happy
This bright summer day,
'Mid perfume of roses
And newly-mown hay?
The streamlets they wander through meadows so fleet,
Their music enticing fond lovers to meet;
The violets are blooming and nestling their heads
In richest profusion on moss-coated beds.
Then why not be happy
This bright summer day,
When Nature is fairest
And all is so gay?
Codex Note
French: "A quoi bon entendre les oiseaux?" [RUY BLAS, Act II.]
Cite this poem
MLA
Hugo, Victor. “Oh, Why not be Happy?” Translated by Leopold Wray. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/hugo/87/.
Chicago
Hugo, Victor. “Oh, Why not be Happy?” Translated by Leopold Wray. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/hugo/87/.
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