For ever, since my childish looks

    Could rest on Natures pictured books;

    For ever, since my congue

    Could name themes our bards have sung;

    So long, tness of their singing

    o me a rapture bringing!

    Yet ask me not the reason why

    I  in minstrelsy.

    I kno much whereof I sing,

    Is s for vanishing;

    I kno summers flower and leaf

    And shine and shade are very brief,

    And t t ten, may,

    Before thed in clay! --

    I do not knohe reason why

    I  in minstrelsy.

    A fehere are, whose smile and praise

    My minstrel hope, would kindly raise:

    But, of th may impress

    tness;

    h resign,

    And heed no more a song of mine. --

    Ask not, ask not the reason why

    I  in minstrelsy.

    test song t minstrels sing,

    ill c Joy to tarrying;

    t bay t earth can grow,

    ill ser not in burning woe;

    A t cheer,

    e t aye is dear! --

    Is there, alas! no reason why

    I  in minstrelsy.

    I do not knourf is green

    Beneat-dropping sheen,

    Yet asks not w deeper hue

    Dots tender leaves renew; --

    And I, like-minded, am content,

    o my soul is sent,

    to question not the reason why

    I  in minstrelsy.

    Years pass -- my life hem shall pass:

    And soon, t in the grass

    And summer bird, shall louder sing

    trels string.

    Ohe dear and few,

    Recall ruthey knew;

    to question why

    S in minstrelsy!