John Bartlett (18201905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Thomas Haynes Bayly. (17971839)
1 Surely t is better, when summer is over To die when all fair things are fading away.
I d be a Butterfly.
2 I d be a butterfly born in a bower, Where roses and lilies and violets meet.
I d be a Butterfly.
3 Those that have wealth must be watchful and wary, Power, alas! naught but misery brings!
I d be a Butterfly.
4 Oh no! we never mention her, 1 Her name is never heard; My lips are now forbid to speak That once familiar word.
Oh no! we never mention her.
5 We met,t was in a crowd. 2
We met.
6 Gayly the troubadour Touched his guitar.
Welcome me Home.
7 Why dont the men propose, Mamma? Why dont the men propose?
Why dont the Men propose?
8 She wore a wreath of roses The first night that we met.
She wore a Wreath.
9 Friends depart, and memory takes them To her caverns, pure and deep.
Teach me to forget.
10 Tell me the tales that to me were so dear, Long, long ago, long, long ago.
Long, long ago.
11 The rose that all are praising Is not the rose for me.
The Rose that all are praising.
12 Oh pilot, t is a fearful night! Theres danger on the deep.
The Pilot.
13 Fear not, but trust in Providence, Wherever thou mayst be.
The Pilot.
14 Absence makes the heart grow fonder: 3 Isle of Beauty, fare thee well!
Isle of Beauty.
15 The mistletoe hung in the castle hall, The holly-branch shone on the old oak wall.
The Mistletoe Bough.
16 Oh, I have roamed oer many lands, And many friends Ive met; Not one fair scene or kindly smile Can this fond heart forget.
Oh, steer my Bark to Erins Isle.
17 My fond affection thou hast seen, Then judge of my regret To think more happy thou hadst been If we had never met.
To my Wife.
18 I m saddest when I sing. 4
You think I have a merry heart.
Note 1. Variant: Oh, no, we never mention him. [back ]Note 2. Cf. Thomas Hoods parody: We met,t was in a mob. [back ]Note 3. I find that absence still increases love.Charles Hopkins: To C. C. Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.Howell: Familiar Letters, book i. sect. i. No. 6. [back ]Note 4. See Artemus Ward, page 787. [back ]