MAY. 141 



May is so called from the goddess Maia, 

 a name under which the earth was worshipped 

 at this daedal season of the year. The Saxons 

 termed it Trimilki, because they began to milk 

 their cows three times a-day in this month. 



The flowers of the chestnut-tree begin to 

 unfold : the tulip-tree has its leaves quite out ; 

 and the flowers of the Scotch-fir, the beech, the 

 oak, and the honey- suckle, climbing round its 

 neighbour for support, are now in full bloom. 

 The mulberry-tree puts forth its leaves; the 

 walnut-tree is in flower ; so too are the lilach, 

 the barberry, and the maple. Towards the 

 end of the month that magnificent and beauti- 

 ful tree, the horse-chestnut, and the hawthorn 

 flower, the mountain-ash, the laburnum, the 

 guelder-rose, the alder, the elm, and the way- 

 faring tree. 



Wayfaring tree ! what ancient claim 

 Hast thou to that right pleasant name ? 

 Was it that some faint pilgrim came 



Unhopedly to thee, 

 In the brown desert's weary way, 

 Mid toil and thirst's consuming sway, 

 And there, as 'neath thy shade he lay, 



Blest the wayfaring tree ? 



