MOON in heaven's garden, among the clouds that wander Crescent moon so young to see, above the April ways, Whiten, bloom not yet, not yet, within the twilight yonder; All my spinning is not done, for all the loitering days. Oh, my heart has two wild wings that ever would be flying! All the hill-tops beckon, and beyond the western meadows Oftentime the plea of it has set my wings a-beating; Till the wild life hastens out to wild things all entreating, And leaves me at the spinning-wheel, with dark, unseeing eyes. Josephine Preston Peabody [1874 SONG: ON MAY MORNING Now the bright morning-star, day's harbinger, John Milton [1608-1674] A MAY BURDEN THROUGH meadow-ways as I did tread, By Goddès fay, by Goddès fay! God ripe the wines and corn, I say, As I went down by lane and lea, By Goddès fay, by Goddès fay! Corinna's Going A-Maying As down I went by rye and oats, By Goddès fay, by Goddès fay! God send a mouth to every kiss, By Goddès fay, by Goddès fay! Thy brow-garland pushed all aslant 1359 Francis Thompson [1859?-1907] CORINNA'S GOING A-MAYING GET up, get up for shame, the blooming morn The dew bespangling herb and tree. Each flower has wept, and bowed toward the east, Nay! not so much as out of bed; When all the birds have matins said And sung their thankful hymns: 'tis sin, Whereas a thousand virgins on this day Spring, sooner than the lark, to fetch in May. Rise and put on your foliage, and be seen 1 To come forth, like the spring-time, fresh and green, Gems in abundance upon you: Besides, the childhood of the day has kept, Come, and receive them while the light Retires himself, or else stands still Till you come forth. Wash, dress, be brief in praying: Come, my Corinna, come; and, coming, mark Or branch: each porch, each door, ere this, Made up of white-thorn, neatly interwove; And sin no more, as we have done, by staying; There's not a budding boy or girl, this day, A deal of youth, ere this, is come Back, and with white-thorn laden home. Some have despatched their cakes and cream And some have wept, and wooed and plighted troth, Many a green gown has been given; Many a kiss, both odd and even: From out the eye, love's firmament; Many a jest told of the keys betraying This night, and locks picked, yet we're not a-Maying. Come, let us go, while we are in our prime, And take the harmless folly of the time. We shall grow old apace, and die May Our life is short, and our days run So when or you or I are made Lies drowned with us in endless night. Then while time serves, and we are but decaying, 1361 Robert Herrick [1591-1674] "SISTER, AWAKE!” SISTER, awake! close not your eyes! See the clear sun, the world's bright eye, In at our window peeping: Lo, how he blusheth to espy Us idle wenches sleeping! Therefore awake! make haste, I say, All in our gowns of green so gay Into the Park a-maying! MAY MAY! queen of blossoms, And fulfilling flowers, With what pretty music Shall we charm the hours? Or to the lute give heed In the green bowers? Unknown |