Classic Poem

You sprightly mischief dancing by,
As you pursue the nymphs that fly
From your embraces,
Run lightly through my garden plot,
Respect the flower-beds that dot
My favorite places;
Avoiding please the early peas while going
through your paces.

Be gentle to the pigs and sows,
The horses, chickens, ducks and cows;
Pray, don't alarm them.
And treat each tender, youngling kid
With comradeship, as if you did
Not want to harm them.
They'll frisk and how their heads will bow if
you should pass and charm them!

For you there shall be sacrificed
The herd's unblemished, highest-priced
And best example.
Incense shall cloud the festive shrine
And there shall be great bowls of wine
For you to sample—
Providing all the while, of course, my grounds
you do not trample.

And now, to celebrate your day,
Cattle romp and shepherds play
For flocks to gambol.
The world throws off its sordid shams
And no one works while wolf and lambs
Together amble.
The village goes to tear its clothes on rustic
bush and bramble.

The town turns out, a giddy rout:
Lodger, landlord, lover, lout,
Prince and pastor.
While laborers who dig or till,
Dance with passion, leaping still
Higher, faster.
Striking the earth, their enemy, to show they
are its master!