INTRODUCTION. 
19 
with delight over the blooming parterre. The bud of infancy, 
the half-expanded flower of youth, the perfect blooms of the 
meridian of life, and the drooping leaves of closing existence, 
are here all seen and noted. No wonder that man, in the beau¬ 
tiful simplicity of earlier times, loved flowers, and hence formed 
an eloquent language, that spoke to the heart in a * still, small 
voice,’ more touching than the tenderest accents. No wonder 
that the most lovely ornament for the young virgin was a 
chaplet of fair flowers; the most glorious distinction of the 
warrior a wreath of bays. No wonder that the bier of the 
early dead was strewed with these passing emblems of a pas¬ 
sing existence.” 
May-day — May-day, that revives such joyful reminiscences 
of our childhood — bringing back to us the pleasures of “ by¬ 
past time,” in remembrance and reality, May-day must not be 
forgotten. 
Hail! thou of ever-circling time, 
That gracest still the ceaseless flow ! 
Bright blossoms of the season’s prime, 
Aye hastening on to winter’s snow ! 
Hail! thou, the fleet year’s pride and prime ! 
Hail! day, which fame should bid to bloom! 
Hail! image of primeval time ! 
Hail! sample of a world to come ! 
Langhokne. 
“ The flowery month of May,” says Peacham, “ must be 
drawn as a youth, with a sweet and amiable countenance, clad 
in a robe of white and green, embroidered with daffodils, haw¬ 
thorns, and blue-bottles; upon his head a garland of white, 
damask, and red roses; in one hand a lute; upon the fore-finger 
of the other a nightingale; and the sign Gemini in the back¬ 
ground.” 
