When I was one and twenty

When I was one and twenty

I lov'd a pretty face,

And if a hundred smiled on me

I took my luck with grace.

Whate'er they bade, I swore it,

By all the gods above,

For I was one and twenty

And over heels in love.

Oh then I feared no window,

Nor heeded any door,

I always had one girl to love

And might have loved a score.

And when a graybeard glowered,

And tried my heart to. move,

"A fig!" I said, "old Wrinkled-head,

You've never been, in love!"

So if ye'd fain keep jolly,

And if ye'd all be young

With nothing bitter in your heart,

Or acid on your tongue;

Just fall in love as I did,

Just do as I have done,

And though you live to fifty,

You're always twenty-one.