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! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SWORD AND THE SICKLE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE PROBLEM by RALPH WALDO EMERSON CEREMONIES FOR CHRISTMAS (1) by ROBERT HERRICK ALMS by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY FOAM STRAY by JOSEPH AUSLANDER TO MISS KINDER, ON RECEIVING A NOTE DATED FEBRUARY 30TH by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |