Triumph of Bacchus and Ariadne

How fair is youth that flies so fast! Then be happy, ye who may; what's to come is still unsure.
Here are Bacchus and his lady, both so fair and both in love; and, since time is swift and cheating, in delight they dwell together. Joyous are these Nymphs and others! Then be happy, ye who may; what's to come is still unsure.
These laughing youthful Satyrs, in the woodlands and mountains, spy upon the lurking-places of the Nymphs whom they adore! Warm with Bacchus now they dance and leap! Then be happy, ye who may; what's to come is still unsure.
These Nymphs delight to yield to them, and can give Love no denial save in coarse and graceless folk; mingled now together, ever they make merry. Then be happy, ye who may; what's to come is still unsure.
This Ass's burden coming up behind is old Silenus, drunk and happy, full of flesh and years. He cannot stand upright, yet he laughs and ever rejoices. Then be happy, ye who may; what's to come is still unsure.
After them comes Midas; all he touches turns to gold; whom then does his wealth make merry, since the man is not content? How can one that thirsts for ever taste any pleasure? Then be happy, ye who may; what's to come is still unsure.
Open wide your ears, there's no delight in to-morrow; old and young and men and women, let us all be gay to-day; every sad thought fall away; let us ever feast together. Then be happy, ye who may; what's to come is still unsure.
Ladies and ye youthful lovers, long live Bacchus, long live Love! Let each make music, dance and sing, let every heart be fired with pleasure! Not with labour, not with grief! Whoever lives, let him rejoice with us; then be happy, ye who may; what's to come is still unsure. How fair is youth that flies so fast!
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