Fine to lie in quiet together,
Finer still to join in laughing –
Underneath a silken heaven
Lying back amid the grasses
Join with friends in cheerful laughing,
Showing our white teeth together.
Am I right? let's lie in quiet;
Am I wrong? let's join in laughing
And in being aggravating,
Aggravating, loudly laughing,
Till we reach the grave together.
Shall we do this, friends, again?
Amen! and auf Wiedersehn!
No excuses! No forgiving!
You who laugh and joy in living
Grant this book, with all its follies,
Ear and heart and open door!
Friends, believe me, all my folly's
Been a blessing heretofore!
What I seek, what I discover –
Has a book contained it ever?
Hail in me the guild of fools!
Learn what this fools-book's offence is:
Reason coming to its senses!
Shall we, friends, do this again? […]