A Sense of Humour

Spoken by the Author in his own person

No man should stand before the moon,
To make sweet song thereon,
With dandified importance,
His sense of humour gone.

Nay, let him don the motley cap,
The jester's chastened mien,
If he would woo that looking-glass
And see what should be seen.

O mirror on fair Heaven's wall!
We find there what we bring;
So let us smile in honest part,
And deck our souls, and sing.

Yea, by the chastened jest alone
Will ghosts and terrors pass;
And fays, and merry friendly things
Throw kisses through the glass.