27 THE LOVERS’ DOXOLOGY
Reading edition
“O voi che per la via d’amor passate”
—Alessandro de Medici.
Listen, all lovers! the spring is here, And the world is not amiss; As long as laughter is good to hear, And lips are good to kiss,— As long as Youth and Spring endure,— There is never an evil past a cure, And the world is never amiss. O lovers all, I bid ye declare The world is a pleasant place;— Give thanks to God for the gift so fair, Give thanks for His singular grace! Give thanks for Youth and Love and Spring! Give thanks, as gentlefolk should, and sing, The world is a pleasant place!