Your fragrant petals open
Beneath the balmy dew,
You're nature's rich heave-offering
On winter's grave anew.

Oh, wondrous spring-time flowers
Tho' death stalk all around,
Another spring will quicken
Your bloom upon the ground,
Speak hopeful, as you ripen,
Of yet another spring,
Where flowers never deaden
And seasons have no wing.

TO MAY

BY THE REV. DANIEL EVANS, B.D.

[The Rev. Daniel Evans, B.D., Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, composed
the following and several other poems in this collection. He was a
native of Cardiganshire, and, following the example of his countrymen, he
assumed the bardic name of _Daniel Ddu_. He was born in 1792, and died
in 1846. His compositions were very miscellaneous, and appeared
separately, but the whole were afterwards published in one volume by Mr.
W. Rees, of Llandovery, in 1831. This poet's writings are distinguished
by great pathos, and a truthful description of nature.]

How fair and fragrant art thou, May!
Replete with leaf and verdure,
How sweet the blossom of the thorn
Which so enriches nature,
The bird now sings upon the bush,
Or soars through fields of azure.

The earth absorbs the genial rays
Which vivify the summer,
The busy bee hums on his way
Exhausting every flower,
Returning to its earthen nest
Laden with honied treasure.

How cheerful are the signs of May,
The lily sweet and briar,
Perfuming every shady way
Beside the warbling river;
And thou, gay cuckoo! hast returned
To usher in the summer.

How pleasant is the cuckoo's song
Which floats along the meadow,
How rich the sight of woodland green,
And pastures white and yellow,
The lark now soars into the heights
And pours her notes so mellow.

To welcome May, let thousands hie
At the sweet dawn of morning,
The winter cold has left the sky,
The sun is mildly beaming,
The dew bright sparkles on the grass,
All nature is rejoicing.

Let May be crown'd the best of months
Of all the passing year,
Let her be deck'd with floral wreaths,
And fed with juice and nectar,
Let old and young forsake the town
And shout a welcome to her.

THE DAWN.

BY THE REV. DANIEL EVANS, B.D.

Streaking the mantle of deep night
The rays of light arise,
Delightful day--shed by the sun--
Breaks forth from eastern skies,
He--in his course o'er oceans vast
And distant lands--returns
Firm to his purpose, true his way,