Classic Poem

While the lads of the village shall merrily ah,
Sound their tabors, I'll hand thee along,
And I say unto thee, that merrily ah,
Thou and I will be first in the throng.

Just then, when the youth who last year won the dow'r,
And his mate shall the sports have begun,
When the gay voice of gladness resounds from each bow'r,
And thou long'st in thy heart to make one,
While the lads, &c.

Those joys that are harmless what mortal can blame?
'Tis my maxim that youth should be free;
And to prove that my words and my deeds are the same,
Believe thou shalt presently see,
While the lads, &c.