Would seem to say this hour is man’s,

But Life hath swiftly running sands,

And may wither in a smile.

A fire is blazing upon the hearth,

And it crackles aloud as if in mirth;

By its flickering flames you may chance to see

There are six men sitting in groups of three;

They laugh and talk—they drink and drain

Their goblets, till to drink is pain,

And the eyes are brighter than the brain.