A MAY MADRIGAL.

May comes clad in gleaming gold,
The World grows young that was so old,
All so sweet, all so fair,
Birds are singing everywhere:
        Come away!
Come sing and answer them again,
Answer Boys and Girls again,
        And welcome in the May!

Mary guard the woods from teen,
Donning now their virgin green!
All be fair, all be sweet
Where in the woodlands lovers meet!
        All who love true
Come and charm the woods with song,
Glad voices charm the woods with song,
        And welcome Love in too!

                                                                        John Todhunter.