May — Chaucer 's White and Green, 131 



pleasantly isolated. The note that is pitched amongst 

 the branches of some tree or shrub is pretty sure to be 

 repeated on the ground by some humble wild-flower. 

 Notwithstanding the variety of flaming gold and blue 

 that may be found wherever the brooms and bugles are 

 abundant, the chief colors of May are the white and 

 green of Chaucer, as he describes them on one of his 

 customary early walks : — 



• Anone as I the day espide 

 No longer would I in my bed abide, 

 But unto a wood that was fast by 

 I went forth alone boldly, 

 And held the way down by a brooke side 

 Till I came to a laund of white and grene. 

 So faire one had I never in been ; 

 The ground was grene, y-poudred with daisie, 

 The floures and the greves on hie, 

 All grene and white, was nothing els seene. 1 



And now, if I were asked to name one plant as 

 typical of the color and fragrance of this sweet season, 

 what other could it be than that modest and singularly 

 beloved one, the lily of the valley ? I know not whether 

 it is from some dear early association, from having seen 

 one who is gone to her rest long ago arranging these 

 flowers that were her favorites, and setting them in 

 clear water on her work-table to be companions for her in 

 bygone months of May, but it is certain that of all the 

 flowers that grow this little one most surely touches 

 the tenderest place in my heart. And every year when 

 the time comes for its blossoming, and when first I find 

 it in the cool and shady spots that suit it best, there 



