they broke down branches from the trees, and adorned them with nosegays and crowns of flowers. When 
this was done, they returned with their booty about the rising of the sun, and made their doors and windows 
to triumph in the flowery spoil. The after part of the day was chiefly spent in dancing round a May-pole, 
which being placed in a convenient part of the village, stood there, as it were, consecrated to the goddess of 
flowers without the least violation offered to it, in the whole circle of the year.” Spenser, in his Shepheard’s 
Calendar, has detailed the circumstances, in a style like a rustic dance. 
Young folke now flocken in — every where 
To gather May-buskets — and smelling brere ; 
And home they hasten — the postes to dight, 
And all the kirk-pillours — eare day-light, 
With hawthorne buds — and sweet eglantine, 
And girlonds of roses — and soppes in wine. 
******** 
Sicker this morowe, no longer agoe, 
I saw a shole of shepherds outgoe 
With singing, and shouting, and iolly chere ; 
Before them yode a lustie tabrere, 
That to the many a hornpipe played, 
Whereto they dauncen eche one with his mayd. 
To see these folks make such jovisaunce, 
Made my heart after the pipe to daunce. 
Tho to the greene wood they speeden hem all, 
To fetchen home May with their musicall, 
And home they bringen, in a royall throne, 
Crowned as a king ; and his queen attone 
Was Lady Flora, on whom did attend 
A fayre flocke of faeries, and a fresh bend 
Of lovely nymphs. O that I were there 
To helpen the ladies their May-bush beare. 
The day was past in sociality and manly sports; — in archery, and running, and pitching the bar, — in 
dancing, singing, playing music, acting Robin Hood and his company, and making a well-earned feast upon 
all the country-dainties in season. It closed with an award of prizes. 
As I have seen the Lady of the May, 
Set in an arbour, on a holiday, 
Built by the Maypole, where the jocund swains 
Dance with the maidens to the bag-pipe’s strains, 
When envious night commands them to be gone, 
Call for the merry youngsters one by one, 
| And for their well performance soon disposes, 
To this a garland interwove with roses, 
j To that a carved hook, or well-wrought scrip, 
Gracing another with her cherry lip ; 
And none returneth empty, that hath spent 
| His pains to fill their rural merriment. 
Among the gentry and at court the spirit of the same enjoyments took place, modified according to 
the taste or rank of the entertainers. The most universal amusement, agreeably to the general current in 
the veins, and the common participation of flesh and blood, was dancing. Contests of chivalry supplied the 
place of more rural gymnastics. But the most poetical and elaborate entertainment was the mask. .V 
certain flowery grace was sprinkled over all ; and the finest spirits of the time thought they shewed both 
their manliness and wisdom, in knowing how to raise the pleasures of the season to their height. Sir Philip 
Sydney, the idea of whom has come down to us as a personification of all the refinement of that age,— is 
fondly recollected by Spenser in this character. 
His sports were faire, bis joyance innocent, 
Sweet without soure, and honey without gall 
And he himself seemed made for merriment, 
Merrily masking both in bowre and hall. 
There was no pleasure nor delightfull play, 
When Astrophel soever was away. 
For he could pipe, and dance, and caroll sweet, 
Amongst the shepherds in their shearing feast ; 
As somer’s larke that with her song doth greet 
The dawning day forth coming from the east. 
And layes of love he also could compose : 
Thrice happie she, whom he to praise did choose. 
Astrophel St. 5, 
Individual homage to the month of May, consisted in paying respect to it though alone, and in plucking 
flowers and flowering boughs to adorn apartments with. 
l 
This maiden, in a morn betime, 
Went forth when May was in the prime 
To get sweet setywall, 
The honey-suckle, the harlock, 
The lily, and the lady-smock, 
To deck her summer-hall. 
Drayton's Pastorals , Erlotj. 4. 
“The Catchfly,” says the author of the “Sentiment of Flowers,” — “is a simple emblem of the gross, 
snares which vice spreads for unwary and imprudent youth. Flies attracted by the evil odour of this plant 
become entangled in its leaves, and are not able to disengage themselves.” 
