Oh, leave the gay and festive scenes,
The halls of dazzling light.

Oh, leave the gay and festive scenes,
The halls of dazzling light.

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under
the sun, than to eat, and to read more

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under
the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that
shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which
God giveth him under the sun.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Fast, and the world goes by.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Fast, and the world goes by.

The music, and the banquet, and the wine--
The garlands, the rose odors, and the flowers,
The read more

The music, and the banquet, and the wine--
The garlands, the rose odors, and the flowers,
The sparkling eyes, and flashing ornaments--
The white arms and the raven hair--the braids,
And bracelets; swan-like bosoms, and the necklace,
An India in itself, yet dazzling not.

Let us have wine and woman, mirth and laughter,
Sermons and soda-water the day after.

Let us have wine and woman, mirth and laughter,
Sermons and soda-water the day after.

There was a sound of revelry by night,
And Belgium's capital had gather'd then
Her Beauty and read more

There was a sound of revelry by night,
And Belgium's capital had gather'd then
Her Beauty and her Chivalry, and bright
The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men.

The service was of great array,
That they were served with that day.
Thus they ate, and read more

The service was of great array,
That they were served with that day.
Thus they ate, and made them glad,
With such service as they had--
When they had dined, as I you say,
Lordis and ladies yede to play;
Some to tables and some to chess,
With other games more and less.

We keep the day. With festal cheer,
With books and music, surely we
Will drink to him, read more

We keep the day. With festal cheer,
With books and music, surely we
Will drink to him, whate'er he be,
And sing the songs he loved to hear.

Not fewer than three nor more than nine.
[Lat., Neque pauciores tribus, neque plures novem.]

Not fewer than three nor more than nine.
[Lat., Neque pauciores tribus, neque plures novem.]