114 KLCKAL CEREMONIES. 



it \vas ordained that the feast should be annually 

 kept on the 28th day of April, that is four days 

 before the calends of May." Bounteous 

 May !_ 



" Woods and groves are of thy dressing, 

 Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing," 



As Milton sings, but \ve shall have much to 

 say of our modern (l Feast of Flowers," which, 

 doubtless, had its origin in that above spoken 

 of, and which was introduced by the Roman 

 conquerors into Britain. 



" ! fairest of the fabled forms ! that stream, 

 Dressed by wild Fancy, through the poet's dream, 

 Still may tby attributes of leaves and flower?, 

 Thy gardens rich, and shrub-o'ershadowed bowers, 

 And yellow meads, with spring's first honors bright, 

 The child's gay heart and frolic step invite ; 

 And while the careless wanderer explores 

 The umbrageous forest or the rugged shores, 

 Climbs the green down or roams the brooin-clad waste, 

 May Truth and Nature form his future taste ! 

 Goddess ! on youth's blest hours thy gifts bestow ; 

 Bind the fair wreath on virgin Beauty's brow, 

 And still may Fancy's brightest flowers be wove 

 Round the gold chains of hymeneal love." 



CHARLOTTE SMITH. 



