Oh, Why Not Be Happy?{1}

Read 'Oh, Why Not Be Happy?{1}' by 'Victor Hugo' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Oh, Why Not Be Happy?{1} by Victor Hugo

 ("A quoi bon entendre les oiseaux?") 
 
 {RUY BLAS, Act II.} 


 Oh, why not be happy this bright summer day, 
 'Mid perfume of roses and newly-mown hay? 
 Great Nature is smiling—the birds in the air 
 Sing love-lays together, and all is most fair. 
 Then why not be happy 
 This bright summer day, 
 'Mid perfume of roses 
 And newly-mown hay? 
 
 The streamlets they wander through meadows so fleet, 
 Their music enticing fond lovers to meet; 
 The violets are blooming and nestling their heads 
 In richest profusion on moss-coated beds. 
 Then why not be happy 
 This bright summer day, 
 When Nature is fairest 
 And all is so gay? 
 
 LEOPOLD WRAY. 
 
 {Footnote 1: Music composed by Elizabeth Philip.} 


 





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