Six favourite songs (1)/Merry and Wise

SONGS

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MERRY AND WISE.

Let who will complain of the troubles they meet,
They’re matter of laughter to me;
A dash of the bitter the sweet makes more sweet,
I therefore contented will be.

If Fortune looks kindly, I’ll bask in her smiles,
If frowning—my comfort is still,
That life’s but a span, and good humour beguiles
Tho time be it bad as it will.

My friend proves unfaithful, I’ll seek out a new,
Nor trouble my head about that;
I’ll pity the changeling, I’ll honour the true,
And cheerfully laugh and be fat.

What tho’ I a coach and six horses can’t have,
To which I've a very good right;
A pair of good legs hath kind Providence gave,
And a heart that’s both honest and light.

My frame’s not unwieldy, ’tis active and sound;
My appetite not very great:
A scanty provision sufficient is found,
If cleanly and wholesome to eat.

Let epicures feast on their turtles for me,
Their ortolans, pheasants, and sturgeon;
With Frenchify’d dishes, high sauces, and be
A prey to the doctor and surgeon.

With all kinds of wine let them pamper their taste,
Nor ought to their palates deny;
If they to their latter end wilfully haste,
Themselves are to blame, and not I.

On dress, pomp, and grandeur, I fix not my mind,
They’re matters unworthy a care;
Beneath those fine trappings we often times find
The pangs of remorse and despair.

Gay Pleasure’s a phantom exceedingly fair,
Which vainly we hope to embrace;
We grasp at a substance, she melts into air,
And leaves not behind her a trace.

Then why should we make such a pother about
What no one could never attain,
Tho’ the sweet illusion is tempting, no doubt,
Till banish’d by old age and pain.

But soon we the idle pursuit of her charms,
By dear-bought experience despise,
Then blooming good humour still dwell in my arms,
My motto be—merry and wise