Classic Poem

I

Here's a health to the lass with the merry black eyes!
Here's a health to the lad with the blue ones!
Here's a bumper to love, as it sparkles and flies,
And here's joy to the hearts that are true ones!
Yes, joy to the hearts that are tender and true, —
With a passion that nothing can smother!
To the eyes of the one, that are pensive and blue,
And the merry black eyes of the other!

II

Mind this now, my lad, with the sweet eyes of blue,
That, whatever the graces invite you,
There is nothing for you in this world that will do
But a pair of black eyes to delight you:
And mind, my gay lass, with the dear eyes of black,
In a pair of blue eyes to discover
That pure light of affection you never should lack, —
And you'll always be true to your lover.

III

Long, long shall your eyes sparkle back with a kiss
To the eyes that live but to behold you:
Long, long shall the magic of mutual bliss
In a heaven of rapture enfold you!
And forever to you shall that singer be wise,
Whose sweet thought is the truest of true ones, —
That the answering lustre of merry black eyes
Is the life of a pair of true blue ones.