Classic Poem

Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be sad?
Like a slow-going hearse or a moribund shad?
What matters injustice, what boots unemployment?
Let's smile for a week in unbridled enjoyment.


Home they brought her warrior dead,
But she smiled and smiled and smiled.


Be gay, sweet maid, and let who will be tearful;
Do merry things and think them all the while;
And so make woe and death a glad and cheerful
And broad sweet smile.


Beautiful Evelyn Hope is dead!
Sit and watch by her side a minute
Let something helpfully sweet be said:
Never a tear but a smile was in it.


She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be;
But she is in her grave. Ho! ho!
Tee hee! tee hee! tee hee!

Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be sad?
Like a slow-going hearse or a moribund shad?
What matters injustice, what boots unemployment?
Let's smile for a week in unbridled enjoyment.


Home they brought her warrior dead,
But she smiled and smiled and smiled.


Be gay, sweet maid, and let who will be tearful;
Do merry things and think them all the while;
And so make woe and death a glad and cheerful
And broad sweet smile.


Beautiful Evelyn Hope is dead!
Sit and watch by her side a minute
Let something helpfully sweet be said:
Never a tear but a smile was in it.


She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be;
But she is in her grave. Ho! ho!
Tee hee! tee hee! tee hee!