MERRY’S MUSEUM.
Vol. VII MAY, 1844. No. 5.
May has ever been the favorite month of the poets; yet in New England it usually disappoints our expectations. In more southern climes, it unites the soft beauties of spring with the radiance of summer. At the same time that it has warmth enough to cheer and invigorate, it does not overpower with its melting influence. The following lines describe the southern May, rather than our own:—
May, sweet May, again is come,
May, that frees the world from gloom;
Children, children! up and see
All her stores of jollity.
On the laughing hedge-row’s side,
She hath spread her treasures wide;
She is in the greenwood shade,
Where the mocking-bird bath made
Every branch and every tree
Ring with her sweet melody;
Hill and dale are May’s own treasures.
Youths, rejoice! In sportive measures
Sing ye! join the chorus gay!
Hail this merry, merry May!
Up then, children! we will go
Where the blooming roses grow;
In a joyful company,
We the bursting flowers will see;
Up, your festal dress prepare!
Where gay breasts are meeting, there
May hath pleasures most inviting,
Heart, and sight, and ear delighting.
Listen to the bird’s sweet song,
Hark! how soft it floats along.
Pleasant dames! our pleasures share;
Never saw I dames so fair;
Therefore dancing we will go.
Youths rejoice! the flow’rets blow!
Sing ye! join the chorus gay!
Hail this merry May!
The old rhyme tells us that
April showers
Bring May flowers;
and how often have we been tempted, on May morning, to go forth, expecting to find blossoms, as we are told they do in other countries—and how have we always been disappointed! Still, May is a delightful month, even in New England, and none of us would be willing to let it slip from the circle of the seasons.