Oh, Why Not Be Happy?

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Title:     Oh, Why Not Be Happy?
Author: Victor Hugo [More Titles by Hugo]

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?

 

Translated by LEOPOLD WRAY.

[Footnote 1: Music composed by Elizabeth Philip.]

[The end]
Victor Hugo's poem: Oh, Why Not Be Happy?

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