Laugh! and the world laughs with you;
Weep! and you weep alone;
For this sad old earth must borrow its mirth;
It has troubles enough of its own.
Sing! and the hills will echo it;
Sigh! and it’s lost on the air;
For they want full measure of all your pleasure,
But nobody wants your care.
Feast! and your halls are crowded;
Fast! and they’ll pass you by;
Succeed! and give! and they’ll let you live;
Fail! and they’ll let you die.
E.W.W.