25 MAY 1878, Page 15

A BALLAD OF MAY.

SPARKLING like a diamond

Beams the day-star in the skies ; Nature, loosed from Winter's bond, Smiles as one in sweet surprise. Light and life are firm allies ;

Hawthorns wear their wedding white, Pastures show their greenest guise,—

Earth is laughing with delight.

Branches leafy vests have donned, Buds and blossoms glad the eyes,

Brakes and ferns unfurl the frond, Daisy-bloom with clover vies, Sings the runnel as it hies,

Swallows twitter in their flight, Master rook his pinions tries,— Earth is laughing with delight.

Tadpoles people pool and pond, Cushat-calls and coos arise, Chaffers of the dusk are fond, All day long the cuckoo cries ; Gauzy insects, butterflies, Flutter forth to see the sight ;

Lo ! the bee with saffron thighs,—

Earth is laughing with delight.

ENVOI.

Lady, 'tis no time for sighs, While the world is buoyant, bright ;

Love is not a vague surmise,—

Earth is laughing with delight. W. H. BnETI.