When youthful charms
Fly pleasure's arms
Kind nature's gifts are vain;
We should not save
What nature gave,
But kindly give again.

Though scorn and pride
Our wishes hide
And though the tongue says " Nay " ,
The honest heart
Takes pleasure's part,
Denying all we say.

The birds in spring
Will sport and sing
And revel through the grove;
And shall not we.
As blithe and free,
With them rejoice and love?

Let love and joy
Our spring employ,
Kind nature's law fulfil;
Then sport and play
Now whilst we may,
We cannot when we will.