C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Author Unknown

BEGONE, dull care!

I prithee begone from me;

Begone, dull care!

Thou and I can never agree.

Long while thou hast been tarrying here,

And fain thou wouldst me kill;

But i’ faith, dull care,

Thou never shalt have thy will.

Too much care

Will make a young man gray;

Too much care

Will turn an old man to clay:

My wife shall dance, and I will sing,

So merrily pass the day;

For I hold it is the wisest thing

To drive dull care away.

Hence, dull care!

I’ll none of thy company;

Hence, dull care!

Thou art no pair for me.

We’ll hunt the wild boar through the wold,

So merrily pass the day;

And then at night, o’er a cheerful bowl,

We’ll drive dull care away.