Ah, vain regret! to few, perchance, Unknown, and profitless to all; The wisely-gay, as years advance, Are gaily-wise. Whate'er befall, We'll laugh at folly, whether seen Beneath a chimney or a steeple; At yours, at mine—our own, I mean, As well as that of other people. They cannot be complete in aught Who are not humorously prone,— A man without a merry thought Can hardly have a funny bone. To say I hate your dismal men Might be esteemed a strong assertion; If I've blue devils now and then, I make them dance for my diversion. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A THOUGHT by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES NEUTRALITY LOATHSOME by ROBERT HERRICK THE BURIED LIFE by MATTHEW ARNOLD |