For Freedom's Journal

For Freedom's Journal

"Is this the time to be gloomy and sad?"
BRYANT.

This is the time to be lightsome and glad
For earth is cloth'd in her richest green,
And the grove with foilage fresh is clad,
And the pure show'rs down his brightest sheen.

Away with our gloom and despondency,
For music's breathing from hill and dale,
The birds in their artless melody,
And the happy flocks in the primrose vale.

Oh, laugh ye out in your happiest mood,
For nature smiles in her thousand ways,
We all can be joyous, this earth is good,
And full of her bright and pleasant days!

Shall we mortals then frown, if at our back
Come not the choicest of luxuries?
Or fret our poor hearts because a speck
May dim one beam in our glowing skies.

Enough, enough, we have plenty enough
Of all that can feed enjoyment here,
We have breezes soft, and for change we've enough,
Variety gilds the passing year.

We truly are fickle ungrateful souls,
Forever sighing for that we've not,
And tho' ours were the wealth between the poles,
The golden whole would be soon forgot!

Let us be happy, we may if we will
And cease from venting our fears and spleen,
For we've Heaven and Earth, and Skies to fill,
Each real want that may intervene!

Arion

2:8, p. 58

1828.05.16