Le grenier

Once more I hail the asylum where my youth
Learned the strange lessons that to Want belong:
A score of years were mine — friends, friends in truth —
A doating mistress — and the love of song.
Braving the world, its wise and simple men,
Rich in my Spring, no care beyond the day,
Joyous I bounded up six stories then —
That garret-life, at twenty 'tis so gay!

A garret! ay, who cares may know it all —
Here used to stand my hard and humble bed;
My table there; and still upon the wall,
Stanzas half done, in charcoal may be read
Come back, ye pleasures of my life's bright dawn,
Whom Time's rude wing, methinks, hath scourged away;
How oft for you my watch I used to pawn!
That garret-life, at twenty 'tis so gay!

But first Lisette should here before me stand,
So blithe, so lovely, in her fresh-trimmed bonnet;
See, at the narrow window, how her hand
Pins up her shawl, in place of curtain on it!
Decked is my couch, too, with her flowing dress;
Love! to its smooth folds due attention pay!
I've heard who found her toilet — ne'ertheless,
That garret-life, at twenty 'tis so gay!

Once as we feasted — 'twas unwonted cheer —
Whilst loud the chorus of my comrades pealed,
A shout of triumph reached us, up even here —
" Napoleon conquers on Marengo's field! "
The cannon thunder — we, in homage paid
To deeds so great, another song essay;
The soil of France kings never shall invade!
That garret-life, at twenty 'tis so gay!

Drunk is my reason — I must quit this spot!
O days much mourned, how distant ye appear!
I'd give what still of life may be my lot,
For one such month as Heaven allowed me here.
Dreams of love, glory, folly, joy, to trace —
Through lengthening vistas to see Hope at play —
Crowding existence into some brief space —
That garret-life, at twenty 'tis so gay!