словоупотребление

Открываешь себе книгу известного христианского автора Честертона, читаешь начало романа

A cloud was on the mind of men, and wailing went the weather, Yea, a sick cloud upon the soul when we were boys together. Science announced nonentity and art admired decay; The world was old and ended: but you and I were gay; Round us in antic order their crippled vices came-- Lust that had lost its laughter, fear that had lost its shame.

понятно, что "веселые"

но все-равно как-то не по себе