Classic Poem

Be merry and suffer, as I advise,
Wheresoever thou sit or rise:
Be well aware whom thou despise;
Thou shalt kiss who is thy foe.
He is wise, I tell thee so,
Who can be merry and suffer woe.


Many a man thinketh himself so stout,
Whatsoever he thinks he says it out:
But if he look well about
His tongue may be his greatest foe.
He is wise, I tell thee so,
Who can be merry and suffer woe.

Be merry! now, is all the song,
The wise man taught both old and young;
He who can suffer and hold his tongue —
He may be merry and nothing rue.
He is wise, I tell thee so,
Who can be merry and suffer woe.

If any man displease thee aught
Suffer it with a merry thought;
Throw care away and grieve thee naught
But shake thy lap and let it go.
He is wise, I tell thee so,
Who can be merry and suffer woe.