Poems by Felicia Dorothea Browne/Ode to Mirth

by Felicia Hemans

ODE TO MIRTH.

Thou, oh! Mirth, with laughing eye,
    Spread thy empire o'er my soul;
No cares obtrude when thou art by,
    To crown the bright nectareous bowl.

Leave the rich to pomp and splendour;
Happiness they cannot render.
Let the miser heap his hoard;
Mirth shall bless the festive board.
Friendship and the smiling muse
Their influence all around diffuse.

Now the flute with mellow sound
    Invites thee to the feast;
The lively hautboy echoes round,
    We form the sprightly jest.

O'er the mantling generous wine,
Good humour and delight combine:
Genial Pleasure for a while,
Bids her votaries gaily smile.
Pleasure twines the rosy wreath,
And bids inspiring music breathe,
While we lead the circling dance;

Oh! Mirth, to join the airy maze, advance.

Mirth has heard the festive measure,
We devote the day to pleasure;
Let the miser heap his hoard,
Mirth shall crown the social board.