126 
Herrick, in his “ Succession of the four sweete inonthes,” 
well expresses the progressive increase of the earth’s floral 
wealth, and, much and beautifully as he lauds the Spring-time 
in several of his poems, yields the palm to Midsummer and 
July. 
First April, she with mellow sliowres 
Opens the w^ay for early flowres; 
Then after her comes smiling May, 
In a more rich and sweet array; 
Next enters June, and brings us more 
Gems than those two that went before; 
Lastly, July comes, and she 
More wealth brings in than all those three. 
In the following most ancient song in the English lan¬ 
guage,” written about the year 1250, in praise of Summer, 
Sprimj seems to be the season celebrated, from the allusions 
used, such as “ springeth the wood new,” and the mention of 
the cuckoo, whose song, or rather cry, becomes far from merry 
towards the Midsummer months. 
Sumer is icumen in; 
Lhude sing cuccu; 
Groweth sed and bloweth med, 
And springeth the w'de uu. 
Sing cuccu. 
Aw’e bleteth after lomb; 
Lhouth after calve cu ; 
Merrie sing cuccu, 
Cuccu, cuccu; 
Wei singes thou cuccu, 
Ne swik thee nauer. 
