FIRST OR LAST

If grief come early

Joy comes late,

If joy come early

Grief will wait;

Aye, my dear and tender!

Wise ones joy them early

While the cheeks are red,

Banish grief till surly

Time has dulled their dread.

And joy being ours

Ere youth has flown,

The later hours

May find us gone;

Aye, my dear and tender!