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, hut we shall have much to 
say of our modern “ 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, 1 
Dressed by wild Fancy, through the poet’s dream, j 
Still may thy attributes of leaves and flowers, 
Thy gardens rich, and shrub-o’ershadowed bowers. 
And yellow meads, with spring’s flrst honors bright, 
The child’s gay heart and frolic step invite; , 
And while the careless wanderer explores 
The umbrageous forest or the rugged shores, j 
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.” 
Chaiilotte Smith. | 
