104 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



although the bas relief or outline might have 

 been intended to represent the antelope or some 

 other creature with two horns." 



12th. Thefe were so many changes from 

 brightness to cloudiness this morning, that as 

 my uncle rose from the breakfast-table, he 

 repeated these lines so descriptive of those rapid 

 alternations. 



" With every shifting gleam of morning light 

 The colours shifted of her rainbow vest." 



I asked him where those lines were to be 

 found. 



" Is it possible," said he, " that you have 

 never read the ' Tears of old May-day !' Well 

 then, Caroline will, I am sure, be so kind as to 

 shew it to you ; and I think you had better 

 celebrate this famous day, by writing an expla- 

 nation of this beautiful poem, now so little read. 



" You may explain it if you can, in the style 

 of l Readings on Poetry ;' a very favourite book, 

 you know, in this house. If any of the mytho- 

 logical allusions are not quite obvious, I will 

 endeavour to explain them ; and I will now only 

 premise that the poem proceeds on the Eastern 

 idea, that the year begins in May : 



' For ever then I led the constant year' 

 is therefore quite in character for 



' The flow'ry May, who from her green lap throws 

 The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose.' " 



