Our Pic-Nic Poem by James Ephraim McGirt

In fullest joy and richest pleasure,
Beneath the trees, upon the grass;
With tables spread upon the ground,
A day with Paen was swiftly passed.

A spring we found close by a brook,
'Twas gushing water fresh and cold;
We must have found what 'Leon saw,
A balm for old age in a pool.

As lambs the children romped the woods,
The worldly cares were chased away;
Their voices like the nymphs ringing,
The aged felt as youths to-day.

We found the arbor dark with shade,
And joy threw wide her rustic door;
We entered in with hail of song,
We all forgot that we were poor.

We turned around, lingering, looked,
When going home at close of day;
And saw Paen standing in the door,
Crying and beckoning us to stay.