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THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY. 



On, joyful is the day, 



In the sunny month of May, 

 When bands of merry-hearted maids go laughing m the hght ; 



When hedges gleam like bnow, 



Where hawthorn bushes blow, 

 And linnets warble in the croft like angels out of sight. 



'Tis joyful where the streams 



Sparkle 'neath the golden beams, 

 And the daisy-dotted meadow laughs like silver-crested sea ; 



When the blackbird and the thrush 



Flit from field to greening bush, 

 And ply their merry piping 'neath the shadow of the tree. 



Now sails the bee along, 



With a fairy sort of song, 

 Or a soft and soothing humming like ihe play of angel s wing,— 



And the bonny lark so high 



Beats against the dappled sky. 

 With a canticle that stirs a heart to leap aloft and sing. 



'Twas such a blushing May, 



In the virgin time of day, . • i • i 



That lured the Roman ladies forth to vales and mountauis high ; 



And back to classic Greece, 



Ere Jason sought the fleece. 

 The multitude went forth to sing their May-day psalms ot joy.. 



To Flora, queen of flowers, 



They scattered perfumed showers 

 Of choicest buds and blossoms from the forest and the field ; 



And to Yenus at her shrine 



They paid homage all divine, 

 And unto both sucli worship gave as grateful hearts could yield. 



So, when broke the May- day smile 



Over Britain's wooded isle, 

 The Druids went with mighty songs, to herald in the dawn ;, 



They struck their golden shields, 



As they marched o'er grassy fields, 

 And throngs of joyful worshippers were gathered ere the morn. 



And when the bloodred sun 



His May-day march begun, 

 A tnilhon throbbing hearts poured forth their gratitude in prayer 



The golden splendour grew, 



The chorus swelled anew, 

 And May-day benedictions fell on all who worshipped there. 



So let us heed the time, 



When the year is in its prime, 

 To worship Him who sent the birds to bless us with their song j 



Who hung aloft the sun, 



In his whirling course to run, 

 That each renewing year might pass with fruitfulness along. 



