Merriment with noble friends

Merriment with noble friends

I love and shall until life ends.

Let those who grudge say what they will,

So God be pleased, I’ll follow still.

    For my delight—

    To hunt, to sing,

    To dance and play.

    All joys I chase

    In mirth’s embrace—

    Who’ll turn me away?

Youth must taste of joy and cheer,

Be it fleeting, far, or near.

Company, I find, is best

To free the mind from weary rest.

    For idleness,

    A cunning snare,

    Breeds vice untamed.

    Then who can claim

    That mirth and game

    Should be ashamed?

Company, if true and bright,

Leads us on the path of right.

Yet choice is ours—both dark and fair—

Each soul must weigh what it will bear.

    The good I seek,

    The ill forsake,

    This is my creed:

    To virtue bind,

    Leave vice behind—

    Thus shall I lead.