Poems by Victor Hugo - HTML preview

OH, WHY NOT BE HAPPY?{1}

("A quoi bon entendre les oiseaux?")
     {RUY BLAS, Act II.}

Oh, why not be happy this bright summer day,
     'Mid perfume of roses and newly-mown hay?
     Great Nature is smiling—the birds in the air
     Sing love-lays together, and all is most fair.
               Then why not be happy
                 This bright summer day,
               'Mid perfume of roses
                 And newly-mown hay?

     The streamlets they wander through meadows so fleet,
     Their music enticing fond lovers to meet;
     The violets are blooming and nestling their heads
     In richest profusion on moss-coated beds.
               Then why not be happy
                 This bright summer day,
               When Nature is fairest
                 And all is so gay?

     LEOPOLD WRAY.

     {Footnote 1: Music composed by Elizabeth Philip.}