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Modernized by Hugh Haliburton
Full oft I muse and hes in thocht.
THE PASSAGE of the speeding year, | |
| And Fortune with her changing cheer, | |
| Are ills on ilka hand contest; | |
| We will not mourn for that, my dear, | |
| But to be blythe we ’ll count it best. | 5 |
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| Fast as this warld fleets awa’ | |
| As fast her wheel does Fortune ca’, | |
| At no time tired or takin’ rest: | |
| What then? the limmer’s owre us a’, | |
| And to be blythe, I think it best. | 10 |
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| Would pampered man consider weel, | |
| Ere Fortune on him turn her wheel, | |
| That earthly honour canna lest, | |
| His fa’ less painfu’ he would feel: | |
| But to be blythe I think it best. | 15 |
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| Wha would wi’ this dour warld strive | |
| Will a’ his days in dolour drive, | |
| An’, tho’ he stood o’ lands possest, | |
| He couldna weel be said to live, | |
| He ’s only tholin’ at the best. | 20 |
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| Wi’ a’ the treasure i’ the earth | |
| What profit is there, wantin’ mirth? | |
| Wi’ a’ the craps o’ east an’ west, | |
| Without contentment there is dearth: | |
| So to be blythe is surely best. | 25 |
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| Let nane for tinsel droop an’ dee, | |
| The thing is but a vanitee; | |
| And to the life that aye shall lest | |
| Here ’s out the twinkling of an ee: | |
| So to be blythe I think it best. | 30 |
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| Had I, because my lot is puir, | |
| Tint heart an’ hope, an’ harboured fear, | |
| An’ been wi’ carried cares opprest, | |
| I had been dead langsyne, I ’m sure; | |
| But to be blythe I think it best. | 35 |
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| However Fortune change an’ veer, | |
| Let ’s blythely live as lang ’s we ’re here; | |
| An’ yet be ready and addrest | |
| To pass content, without a tear, | |
| Believin’ a’ thing for the best. | 40 |
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