| |
| LAUGHTER wears a lilied gown— | |
| She is but a simple thing; | |
| Laughter’s eyes are water-brown, | |
| Ever glancing up and down | |
| Like a woodbird’s restless wing. | 5 |
| |
| Laughter slender is and round— | |
| She is but a simple thing; | |
| And her tresses fly unbound, | |
| And about her brow are found | |
| Buds that blossom by Mirth’s spring. | 10 |
| |
| Laughter loves to praise and play— | |
| She is but a simple thing— | |
| With the children small who stray | |
| Under hedges, where the May | |
| Scents and blossoms richly fling. | 15 |
| |
| Laughter coyly peeps and flits— | |
| She is but a simple thing— | |
| Round the flower-clad door, where sits | |
| Maid who dimples as she knits, | |
| Dreaming in the rosy spring. | 20 |
| |
| Laughter hath light-tripping feet— | |
| She is but a simple thing; | |
| Ye may often Laughter meet | |
| In the hayfield, gilt and sweet, | |
| Where the mowers jest and sing. | 25 |
| |
| Laughter shakes the bounteous leaves— | |
| She is but a simple thing— | |
| On the village ale-house eaves, | |
| While the angered swallow grieves | |
| And the rustic revellers sing. | 30 |
| |
| Laughter never comes a-nigh— | |
| She ’s a wise though simple thing— | |
| Where men lay them down to die; | |
| Nor will under stormy sky | |
| Laughter’s airy music ring. | 35 |
| |
