Music: Igor Stravinsky
Soon dawn will glitter
outside the shutter,
and small birds twitter,
but what of that?.
So long as we're able
and wine's on the table,
who cares what?
the troubling day is at?.
While food has flavour
and limbs are shapely
and hearts beat bravely
to fiddle or drum,
our proper employment
is reckless enjoyment.
For too soon the noiseless night will come.
Sisters of Venus, bothers of Mars,
fellow worshipers in the temple of delight,
it is my privilege to present to you
a stranger to our rites,
who, following our custom,
begs leave to sing you a song
in earnest of his desire to be initiated.
As you see, he is young.
As you shall discover, he is rich.
my master, and,
if he will pardon the liberty,
my friend, Mr. Tom Rakewell.