Page:A Selection of Original Songs, Scraps, Etc., by Ned Farmer (3rd ed.).djvu/87



is no lack of bliss in a bright world like this,
 * Though midst the sweet flowers that abound,

A weed here and there in our path should appear,
 * A stray nettle or thistle be found.

There is no joy on earth but by contrast has birth,
 * Then why should we grieve or be sad,

By kind Nature 'tis shown that both must be grown,
 * Just to show us the good from the bad.
 * Then come let us be gay, and sing while we may,
 * And prove to the world by our deeds,
 * Though small merit be ours, when taken as flowers,
 * We are no kin at all to the weeds.

Nature also makes known, by the seeds she has sown,
 * The blossoms she'd wish us to bear,

Nor desires that one bloom be overshadowed with gloom,
 * Or cankered by sorrow and care.

And so if you find a poor, the wind
 * Of misfortune hath broken and toss'd.

Oh, haste to restore to sunshine once more!
 * A flower that is otherwise lost.
 * Then gay as before—yea, a thousand times more,
 * For happiness grows on good deeds—
 * Go, join the glad throng in the dance and the song,
 * And leave all the cant to the weeds.