Laugh and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone. For the sad old earth, must borrow its mirth, But has trouble enough of its own. Sing, and the hills will answer; Sigh, it is lost on the air. The echos bound to a joyful sound, But shrink from voicing care.
Rejoice, and men will seek you; Grieve, and they turn and go. They want full measure of all your pleasure, But they do not need your woe. Be glad, and your friends are many; Be sad and you lose them all. There are none to decline your nectared wine, But alone you must drink life's gall.
Feast, and your halls are crowed; Fast, and the world goes by. Succeed and give, and it helps you live, But no many can help you die. There is room in the halls of pleasure For a long and lordly train, But one by one, we must all file on Through the narrow aisles of pain.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Sorry Morton, just thought I would share with your readers the whole poem by Wilcox, a much over-looked, and often disrespected poet, but one who I always enjoy.
Laugh and the world laughs with you;
ReplyDeleteWeep, and you weep alone.
For the sad old earth, must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Sing, and the hills will answer;
Sigh, it is lost on the air.
The echos bound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care.
Rejoice, and men will seek you;
Grieve, and they turn and go.
They want full measure of all your pleasure,
But they do not need your woe.
Be glad, and your friends are many;
Be sad and you lose them all.
There are none to decline your nectared wine,
But alone you must drink life's gall.
Feast, and your halls are crowed;
Fast, and the world goes by.
Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
But no many can help you die.
There is room in the halls of pleasure
For a long and lordly train,
But one by one, we must all file on
Through the narrow aisles of pain.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Sorry Morton, just thought I would share with your readers the whole poem by Wilcox, a much over-looked, and often disrespected poet, but one who I always enjoy.
Thanks!!!! Love this!!!
ReplyDelete