Candlemas to Lammas 
Around him flock the Angels of Mankind, 
The Guardian Angels bid the year farewell, 
Like flying swans against the sky outlined, 
Or falling snowflakes, to dull mortal eyes. 
Dark is the night spangled with peeping stars, 
Yet by the lantern in his hand methinks, 
Though flecked with snowflakes, in the sleigh I see. 
Roses and lilies, and sweet-scented pinks, 
Flowers and buds, the hearts that bloomed and died. 
Sweet April hopes on whom no summer smiled, 
Tendril and leaf, desires sorely tried, 
And mellow fruit for garners in the sky. 
Lammas means the “ feast of first-fruits,” and is the 
Anglo-Saxon Hlaf-masse; “ Hlaf” meaning loaf of bread, 
and “ masse ” feast. Now it is merely connected with 
certain rent collections. 
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