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.