• The greatness that would make us grave, Is but an empty thing. What more than mirth would mortals have? The cheerful man's a king.

    Isaac Bickerstaffe: The greatness that would make us grave,
Is but an empty thing.
What more than mirth would mortals have?
The cheerful man's a king.
    Isaac BICKERSTAFFE (1814). “Love in a Village ... As performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. Printed ... from the prompt book. With remarks by Mrs. Inchbald”, p.14