6 The Year of Maris Life. 
So all the flowers, for lack of showers, 
No springing up can make ; 
Yet birds do sing and praise their king, 
And each one choose its mate. 
MARCH. 
Then in comes March, that noble arch, 
With wholesome Spring and air, 
The child doth spring to years fifteen, 
With visage fine and fair ; 
So do the flowers with softening showers, 
Aye spring up as we see ; 
Yet, nevertheless, remember this, 
That one day we must die. 
APRIL. 
Then brave April doth sweetly smile, 
The flowers do fair appear, 
The child is then become a man, 
To the age of twenty year. 
If he be kind, and well inclin’d, 
And brought up at the school, 
Then men may know if he foreshow, 
A wise man or a fool. 
MAY. 
Then cometh May, gallant and gay, 
When frequent flowers do thrive, 
The child is then become a man, 
Of age twenty and five. 
And for his life doth seek a wife, 
His days and years to spend ; 
May He above send peace and love, 
And grace unto the end ! 
