Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long!
John Milton
EMILIA ON MAY DAY.
FROM “PALAMON AND ARCITE.”
Thus year by year they pass, and day by day,
Till once, ’twas on the morn of cheerful May,
The young Emilia, fairer to be seen
Than the fair lily on the flowery green—
More fresh than May herself in blossoms new—