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114 FLORAL CEREMONIES. 
it was 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 we 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. 
“ 0 ! fairest of the fabled forms ! that stream, 
Dressed by wild Fancy, through the poet’s dream, 
Still may thy attributes of leaves and flowers, 
Thy gardens rich, and shruh-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 broom-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. 
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