Life is a Poem, short or long, br A dismal Dirge, or jovial Song, br A Psalm of faith, or Lay of Pride, br One stanza by each year supplied. br br And thy sweet Hymn of love and truth, br A carol of unfading youth, br Which God hath given thee to rehearse, br Enlightening others' chequered way, br Is strengthened by a further verse br Upon the gracious April day.