True lover's garland (1)/The laughing song

For works with similar titles, see Laughing Song.

---

THE LAUGHING SONG.

In the days of my childhood as sportive I play'd
⁠Among the young lasses arouud
I was fond then of laughing my grandmother said
⁠None merrier ever was found:
To fill up the moments with joy and delight,
⁠I scarcely knew what I'd be at;
Whatever was pleasing that came to my sight,
⁠I could not help laughing at that.

Still the humour prevails tho' maturer I'm grown,
⁠I am happy to smile time away;
The frolicks of fancy I still make my own,
⁠And pleasantly spin out the day;
When the dull or the splenetic, censure or chide
⁠At my innocent freedom and prate.
I titter to bear their nonsenical pride,
⁠For I cannot help laughing at that.

Young Collin declares for husband I 'm fit,
⁠So he courts me from morning to night;
On the charms of my person displays all his wit,
⁠And I own that it gives me delight;
He talks of the parson, the church, and the ring,
⁠In praise too of conjugal chat,
That wedlock, indeed, is an excellent thing,
⁠So I must not get laughing at that.

At length with his wishes if I should comply,
⁠As at present I seem to incline,
If but on his promises I may rely,
⁠Not to check this good humour of mine,
To church with young Collin I'd soon trip away.
⁠And answer all questions quite pat;
When it comes to the critical word call'd Obey,
⁠I shall scarcely keep laughing at that.