FLORAL CEREMONIES. 
55 
tion of Rome, when on consulting the cele- 
brated books of the Sybil, it was ordained that 
the feast should he annually kept up 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 we shall have much to 
aa y of our modem “ Feast of Flowers,” which, 
doubtless had its origin in that above spoken 
°f, and which was introduced by the Roman 
conquerors into Britain. 
(t 0 ! fairest of the fabled forms ; that stream, 
Dressed by wild Fancy, through the poets dream, 
Still may thy attributes of leaves and flowers, 
Thy gardens rich, and shrub o’ershadowed bowers, 
And yellow meads, with spring’s first honours 
bright, 
The child’s gay heart, and frolic step invite ; 
And while the careless wanderer explores 
Til’ umbrageous forest or the rugged shores, 
Climbs the green down or roams the broom-clad 
waste, 
May Truth and Nature form his future taste ! 
