The miscellaneous works and novels of R. C. Dallas ::

Cold winter is gone, and now Phœbus rides high,
Announcing the charms of a temperate sky:
Observe, my dear Charlotte, how lively and gay
All Nature appears at the approach of the May.

The meadows, reviving, put on their best green,
And daisies are crowding in swarms to be seen;
The cowslips, the lilies, the roses, display
Their beautiful petals to welcome the May.

The trees are in leaf, and their blossoms are spread,
Gay gardens begin Nature's perfume to shed;
And hawthorn, unprun'd, now prepares to array,
With modest white robes, all the hedges of May.

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In gay thoughtless groups see the butterflies romp,
Who have nothing to boast of indeed but their pomp;
Vain things! they seem useless—and yet might they say,
“We spread our fine wings to do honour to May.”

The bee, ever busy, makes much of the hour,
And hums as he ranges from flower to flower:
In humming and probing he passes the day,
Then home to the hive bears the treasure of May.

Awak'd from their trances new pleasures to share,
Glad swallows are flitting the spring-temper'd air;
And sweetly the blackbirds are whistling their lay,
To celebrate all the return of the May.

Let butterflies romp, let the bee fill his hive,
Let swallows and blackbirds be glad they're alive,
While fondly I sing too, on this happy day,
The girl who appear'd at the approach of the May.

She is modest, obedient, attentive, and kind,
Not vain of her person, but fond of her mind;
Then shower thy blessings, Almighty! I pray,
On the girl who appear'd at the approach of the May.

University of Virginia Library

THE TWENTY-NINTH OF APRIL:

OR, THE APPROACH OF THE MAY.