Though they're all the joy we know,
youth and beauty don't endure.
If you want, be happy now;
for tomorrow's never sure.
Here's the Wine God and his Lady:
see how they admire each other!
They know time is brief and flighty,
so they spend it well together.
All these nymphs and other gentry,
to enjoy themselves know how.
If you want, be happy now;
for tomorrow's never sure.
Satyrs here are happy, clearly,
they are waiting in the bushes
for the nymphs they love so dearly,
who expect their ardent rushes.
Gulping as the wineskin gushes,
jumping, dancing anyhow,
if you want, be happy now;
for tomorrow's never sure.
And the nymphs seem not to worry,
they have found they like the satyrs,
(who in fact are rather furry
but that makes their pleasure greater).
They are pairing up for later
and their faces are aglow.
If you want be happy now;
for tomorrow's never sure.
Fat Silenus, Baccus' friend,
like a sack with pointed ears,
on assback since too drunk to stand,
shows his ancient wrinkled leer.
Full of wine and flesh and years,
he is cheerful anyhow.
If you want, be happy now;
for tomorrow's never sure.
Midas throws his coins about —
all turns gold beneath his touch.
Why the disappointed pout?
Metal doesn't please him much.
Thirsty (can't drink gold as such),
starving, he could eat a cow.
If you want, be happy now;
for tomorrow's never sure.
Now hear this with open ears:
we can't live on future plans;
it's today that we are here,
youngster, oldster, woman, man.
Put your sorrows under ban
and let's party anyhow.
If you want, be happy now;
for tomorrow's never sure.
You young dancers in the ring,
hail to Wine and hail Desire!
Let's have music and let's sing,
never tiring, stepping higher.
Yes to sweetness, to the fire
that our courtesy allows.
If you want, be happy now;
for tomorrow's never sure.
Though they're all the joy we know,
youth and beauty don't endure.
~