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.

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!

For millions in centuries after

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!

But Change is omnipotent ever;

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.

And if, after years have gone o'er us,

Fate bring us together once more,
Who knows but the mirth of our chorus

May yet be as loud as before!