THE MAY-BUSH. 23 But I know of a land where there falls no blight— I shall find them there, with their eyes of light! Where Death midst the blooms of the morn may dwell, I tarry no longer-farewell, farewell! The summer is coming, on soft winds borne- Ye are marked by care, ye are mine no more: farewell! HEMANS. THE MAY-BUSH. YOUNG folk now flock in everywhere Even this morning-no longer ago, I saw a shole of shepherds outgo, With singing, and shouting, and jolly cheer: That unto many a hornpipe played, Whereto they danced, each one with his maid. SPENSER. SPRING. THE sweet season that bud and bloome forth brings, The nightingale with feathers new she sings; The hart hath hung his old head on the pale, ON MAY MORNING. 25 25 The buck in brake his winter-coat he flings, Winter is worn that was the flower's bale, EARL OF SURREY. ON MAY MORNING. (ON Now the bright morning-star, day's harbinger, MILTON. CHILDREN IN SPRING. THE snow has left the cottage-top; The thatch-moss grows in brighter green; And eaves in quick succession drop, Where grinning icicles have been, Pit-patting with a pleasant noise In tubs set by the cottage-door; While ducks and geese, with happy joys, Plunge in the yard-pond brimming o'er. The sun peeps through the window-pane, Which children mark with laughing eye, And in the wet streets steal again, To tell each other spring is nigh. Then as young Hope the past recalls, To build beside the sunny walls Their spring-time huts of sticks or straw. And oft in pleasure's dream they hie Where painted pooty shells abide ; DAY: A PASTORA L. 27 Mistaking oft the ivy spray For leaves that come with budding spring, And wondering, in their search for play, Why birds delay to build and sing. The mavis thrush, with wild delight, Who tootles while he pecks his meal From sweet-brier hips beside the door. DAY: A PASTORAL. IN the barn the tenant cock, Close to Partlet perched on high, Briskly crows (the shepherd's clock)! Jocund that the morning's nigh. Swiftly from the mountain's brow, Shadows, nursed by night, retire : CLARE. |