Shakspeare and His Times [Vol. 1 of 2] / Including the Biography of the Poet; criticisms on his genius and writings; a new chronology of his plays; a disquisition on the on the object of his sonnets; and a history of the manners, customs, and amusements, superstitions, poetry, and elegant literature of his age

by Nathan Drake

To scatter them, as 'tis to make them sleep

On May-day morning; which will never be."[156:B]

Herrick, the minute describer of the customs and superstitions of his times, which were those of Shakspeare, and the immediately succeeding period, has a poem called Corinna's Going A Maying, which includes most of the circumstances hitherto mentioned; he thus addresses his mistress:—

"Get up —— and see

The dew bespangling herbe and tree:

Each flower has wept, and bow'd toward the east,

Above an houre since;—it is sin,

Nay profanation to keep in;

When as a thousand virgins on this day,

Spring sooner than the lark, to fetch in May!