Classic Poem

Les Bohemiens.

Jugglers, or sorcerers, or thieves,
Ye, of an ancient world the scum,
Jugglers, or sorcerers, or thieves,
Joyous Bohemians, tell us whence ye come?

" Whence do we come? there's none can tell:
Whence comes the swallow? this d'ye know?
Whence do we come? there's none can tell:
Know ye for certain whitherwards we go?

" Not bound to country, prince, or laws,
This life of ours should envied be:
Not bound to country, prince, or laws,
Man may, perchance, enjoy one day in three.

" All independent we are born;
Nor by the Church baptized are we:
All independent we are born,
With fifings welcomed, and with minstrelsy.

" Our early steps are unrestrained —
Where Error all around us stands —
Our early steps are unrestrained,
And free from Prejudice' old swaddling bands.

" The fools, on whom by tricks we prey,
Put faith in every conjuring book;
The fools, on whom by tricks we prey,
To saints and sorcerers would do well to look.

" If we find Wealth upon the road,
Merrily will our band ask alms;
If we find Wealth upon the road,
Merrily sing we and put out our palms.

" Poor birds, whom Providence upholds;
Yes, spurned from cities let us be!
Poor birds, whom Providence upholds,
We hang our nests up in the forest-tree.

" Cupid comes groping every night;
To bind us all pell-mell he strives;
Cupid comes groping every night,
And binds us all behind the car he drives

" No, thou canst not lift up thine eye,
Thou paltry pedant of an hour,
No, thou canst not lift up thine eye
Above the old cock on thine old church-tower!

" Seeing is having — up! away!
This wandering life can never pall;
Seeing is having — up! away!
For to see all things is to seize on all.

" But man to man for ever calls —
Whether he kick, or frowsy lie —
But man to man for ever calls,
" What, art thou born? good day! art dead? good-by!"

When we are dead, God rest out souls!
Babies, boys, girls, graybeards, old crones —
When we are dead, God rest our souls!
Our carcasses they sell to young Sawbones.

" Free, then, from pride, we never own
Vain laws; are not in fetters bowed:
Free, then, from pride, we never own
Or roof, or cradle, or a funeral shroud.

" But let our merriment attest,
Master, or valet, priest, or lord,
But let our merriment attest
That only Liberty can joy afford!

" Yes, let our merriment attest,
Master, or valet, priest, or lord,
Yes, let our merriment attest
That only Liberty can joy afford! "