Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MAY DAY GARLAND, by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN


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THE MAY DAY GARLAND, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Though folks no more go maying
Last Line: Hid up his scythe in flowers!
Alternate Author Name(s): Blunden, Edmund
Subject(s): England; Landscape; Spring; English


THOUGH folks no more go Maying
Upon the dancing-green
With ale and cakes and music loud
To crown the fairest queen,
Yet little ones to each gate go
Before the clock tells noon,
And there the prettiest garlands show
That Love can smile upon.

Their garlands are of paigles
That flaunt their yellow heads
By dykesides where the pigeon broods
And the nuzzling hedgehog beds --
Their ladysmocks shall nod in the sun
And kingcups scent like mead,
And blue-bells' misty flame be spun
With daisies' glittering brede.

And one will make her garland
A crown for such a day,
One a harp, and one a heart
(Lest hers be stolen away);
Cart-wheels never meant to turn
And chip-hats never worn
And petal-tambourines shall earn
A largess this May morn.

And for these courteous children,
And Love that's ever a child,
The May should never fade to-night
Could Time but be beguiled,
Could Time but see the beauty of
These singing honied hours,
And lie in the sun adream while we
Hid up his scythe in flowers!





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