The Cricket

O the gayest of musicians! O the gladdest thing on earth, With its piping and its chirping, is the cricket on the hearth! There is magic in the music that he flings us with such zest: 'Love's the only wealth that's lasting-who cares aught for all the rest? Never mind though ill-luck dog you, never mind though times are hard, Have you not the wife and bairns?' chirps the sweet, insistent bard- Chirps and chirps, until you heed him, till your heart is all aglow- 'Love's the only wealth that's lasting, home's a bit of heaven below.' O the gayest of musicians! O the gladdest thing on earth, With his piping and his chirping, is the cricket on the hearth!