Classic Poem

FIRST DAY .

Life for me is full of gladness!
One long holiday.
Other people talk of sadness;
I am always gay.
Songs to my lips unbidden spring;
I sing because I needs must sing.

Like as the birds, who, winter past,
Pour from bush and tree,
Forgetting its keen chilling blast,
Sweetest melody.
Blackbirds and thrushes all day sing;
Flowers and love come with the Spring.

'Tis Spring with me; the love have I
Of a good man and true;
The paths of life I tread now lie
Through roses, fresh with dew;
Blithe in my ears the old tune rings, —
A happy heart it always sings.

But why should I not happy be
When I am grey and old?
Flowers may fade, youth pass away,
But love can ne'er grow cold.
No, only death should sorrow bring;
Till that comes, heart, cease not to sing.