Classic Poem

What song doth the cricket sing?
What news doth the swallow bring?
What doth laughing boyhood tell?
What calls out the marriage bell?
What say all? — Love and Mirth!
In the air, and in the earth.
Very, very soft and merry
Is the natural song of Earth.

Mark the Morn, when first she springs
Upwards on her golden wings;
Hark, to the soaring soaring lark!
And the echoing forests, — hark!
What say they? — Love and Mirth, &c.

With the leaves the apples wrestle;
In the grass the daisies nestle;
And the sun smiles on the wall:
Tell us, what's the cause of all?
Mirth and Love; Love and Mirth, &c.

Is it Mirth? Then why will man
Spoil the sweet song all he can?
Bid him, rather, aye rejoice,
With a kind and a merry voice!
Bid him sing " Love and Mirth!"
To the air, and to the earth, &c.