And the glorious spirit of mirth.

For ’twas not we were reckless of duty,

Or the sterner requirements of life;

’Twas not we were mindless of beauty,

Or are now, of home, children, and wife;

But ’tis,—that the wandering hours

Have a singular frolicsome way

Of scattering the fairest of flowers

O’er moments of fellowship gay;

When fancy leads off to a measure