MAY, sweet May! this branch of blossom From thy fragrant, beauteous bosom I accept, and clasp the treasure To my breast with grateful pleasure. Dear the gift, and dear the giver, Whose loving hand is near me ever To shield from care—the mother ailing, To cheer her heart and spirits failing. Thanks, sweet May! thy gift I cherish, Soon, alas! too soon to perish; Though a thing of beauty, never Canst thou be a joy for ever. Thy snowy blossoms freshly blooming, With their odorous breath perfuming The chamber small, where still I treasure Thy floral gift, sweet May! with pleasure. I press them to my cheek, inhaling Sweet Nature's incense, still exhaling From thy verdant lap o'erflowing With flowery blooms, bright-hued and glowing. Branch of May! the dews of morning Twinkle on thy leaves, adorning The pearly blooms that richly cluster On each spray with sparkling lustre. Ere from parent tree dissever'd, Wood-notes rung and bright wings quiver'd Through the branches—every blossom Brush'd by some soft feathery bosom. The songster thrush, the blackbird mellow, The black-capp'd bullfinch, dear bright fellow, There build, and brood, and warble clearly; They haunt and love the hawthorn dearly. Now the sun of June uncloses The fragrant treasures of the roses: Queenly flower, soft, balmy, blushing! The glen, the grove, with beauty flushing. On bank and mead, in copse and wildwood, Wilding flowers, beloved from childhood, In sweet profusion greet me smiling, Cares and toils and tears beguiling. Memory ever fondly clinging To the past, before me bringing, With deepest, sweetest fascination, Past scenes of love and admiration. Sweet May, adieu! oh! not in sorrow, Though now a night, that knows no morrow, Broods on my eyes; yet I, resigning My will to heaven, live unrepining. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WESSEX HEIGHTS by THOMAS HARDY THE TALENTED MAN by WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED VALENTINES TO MY MOTHER: 1880 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI WALKING HOME AT NIGHT; HUSBAND TO WIFE by WILLIAM BARNES |