“CARMEN LAETI.”

When Mirth and Joy come flitting in,

The heart with glee is filled within.

When I shall journey back to thee

My soul will dance in gaiety.

Merriment shall reign supreme,

In every eye a joyous beam;

Mirth shall caper all day long,

In every heart an airy song.

Bid me to sing a round-a-lay

And I will trill to break of day

A Ballad, pastorale, stave or air

Or roulade to my Lady’s hair.

As blithesome lark from Morn’s pearl dew

Is lost to sight in Heaven’s blue

Rising with carol to the skies

So am I lost in my lady’s eyes.

Bournemouth,
April 11th, 1915.

Note: The form of these two Songs was suggested from reading a book of Elizabethan verse.