Magical May, my favourite month of the year. The poet and author Milton writes of her arrival as follows :
"Now the bright morning-star, Day’s harbinger,
Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose.
Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!
Woods and groves are of thy dressing;
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long."
~John Milton,'Song on a May Morning', 1660
This is my post for Garden Bloggers' Muse Day hosted by Carolyn Gail on her blog Sweet Home and Garden Chicago.
Hi Anna
ReplyDeleteThe Primrose and yellow cowslip must have appeared later in Milton's day.
Did you hear the Met office's indication for Summer?
Rob
A beautiful poem for May, Anna! I was never a big fan of Milton, but this poem is a far cry from "Paradise Lost":)
ReplyDeleteI've just wandered into your blog from VP's site and have really enjoyed reading all your posts - todays poem is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Lovely poem. We don't normally think of Milton as quite so cheerful:)
ReplyDeleteHi Anna Lovely post. I think Rob's right my cowslips and primroses are nearly over and the Hawthorn has already been flowering for some days.
ReplyDeleteI think May must have cast its spell over Milton as it does over the rest of us
ReplyDeleteI read your post yesterday and thought I commented, but I guess not. My favorite line of this poem is:
ReplyDeleteHail, bounteous May, that dost inspire Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!
I hope to find time to visit your blog more often.
Yes that's what I thought Rob - global warming no doubt :) I have heard the long range forecast but will not comment at this stage !
ReplyDeleteI could not agreed with your more Rose. I studied 'Paradise Lost' for A (Advanced) level English Literature and what an effort was needed. He must have had a lighter side after all.
Hello and welcome Nutty Gnome :) Thanks for your visit and your comment. I am glad that you enjoyed the poem. Hope to see you again.
He used to strike me as rather dour Garden Ms.S but this poem is full of joy and celebration.
Thanks Joanne - my primroses are still out but on the wane now - they certainly have not been thrown out of May's 'green lap' :)
May is indeed full of magic Victoria - I am glad that Milton was bewitched too :)
Hello and welcome Donna. Thanks so much for your visit and your comment. I like those couple of lines too :)
Lovely poem - and I can vouch for Milton. we've been for a walk in North Wales today and the primroses and cowslips were still flowering there, along with a host of other absolutely beautiful hedgerow flowers.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely poem - I too had rather doleful memories of Milton from school!
ReplyDeleteMay is such an intensely growy month - I love it.