THE SPIRITS OF ARIEL
“Sumer is icumen in, Lhude sing cuccu! Groweth sed, and bloweth med, And springth the wude nu.—Sing cuccu!
“Awe bleteth after lomb Lhouth after calve cu! Bulluc sterteth, bucke verteth, Murie sing cuccu!
“Cuccu, cuccu, well singes thu, cuccu: Ne swike thu naver nu; Sing cuccu, nu, sing cuccu, Sing cuccu, sing cuccu, nu!”
[Leaping up the steps, they plant the May-pole at the centre, where Ariel greets them.]
ARIEL Dear Master! O blithe hearts: Have welcome home!
PROSPERO Welcome our May-pole back!—Where is thy mistress?
ARIEL [Startled.] Alas! You know not?
PROSPERO [Reassuringly.] Nay, I know. But cheerly, My birdlings! Now that ye are flocked once more Round this enchanted tree, I’ll conjure you Out of mine art such joyous rites, that they Shall draw your Mistress even from the tomb To join our revels. Come now, gather round And watch my antic rites of Merry England!