Joy

Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile.

Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile.

Joys too exquisite to last,
And yet more exquisite when past.

Joys too exquisite to last,
And yet more exquisite when past.

How fading are the joys we dote upon!
Like apparitions seen and gone;
But those which soonest read more

How fading are the joys we dote upon!
Like apparitions seen and gone;
But those which soonest take their flight
Are the most exquisite and strong;
Like angel's visits short and bright,
Mortality's too weak to bear them long.

Joy, in Nature's wide dominion,
Mightiest cause of all is found;
And 'tis joy that moves the read more

Joy, in Nature's wide dominion,
Mightiest cause of all is found;
And 'tis joy that moves the pinion
When the wheel of time goes round.

At Earth's great market where Joy is trafficked in,
Buy while thy purse yet swells with golden Youth.

At Earth's great market where Joy is trafficked in,
Buy while thy purse yet swells with golden Youth.

For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy.

For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy.

And, e'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy,
The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy.

And, e'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy,
The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy.

They hear a voice in every wind,
And snatch a fearful joy.

They hear a voice in every wind,
And snatch a fearful joy.

But were there ever any
Writhed not at passed joy?

But were there ever any
Writhed not at passed joy?

Joy makes us giddy, dizzy.
[Ger., Die Freude macht drehend, wirblicht.]

Joy makes us giddy, dizzy.
[Ger., Die Freude macht drehend, wirblicht.]