(As she speaks April shows March her apron full of flowers and nest full of birds. March wanders away into the grounds. April, without entering the cottage, hangs over the hungry nestlings watching them. May arrives unperceived by April, and gives her a kiss. April starts and looks round.)
Ah, May, good-morrow, May, and so good-bye.
May
That’s just your way, sweet April, smile and sigh:
Your sorrow’s half in fun,
Begun and done
And turned to joy while twenty seconds run.
I’ve gathered flowers all as I came along,
At every step a flower
Fed by your last bright shower,—
(She divides an armful of all sorts of flowers with April, who strolls away through the garden.)
And gathering flowers I listened to the song
Of every bird in bower.
Here are my buds of lily and rose,
And here’s my namesake blossom may;
And from a watery spot
See here forget-me-not,
With all that blows
To-day.
(June appears at the further end of the garden, coming slowly towards May, who, seeing her, exclaims:)
Surely you’re come too early, sister June.