O nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still, While hours lead on the laughing month of May, Thou with fresh hopes the lover’s heart dost fill. The fishes are now inspired by the same enlivening influence which acts upon the rest of animated Nature, and in consequence, again offer themselves as a prey to the art of the angler, who returns to his usual haunt. “Beneath a willow long forsook, The fisher seeks his ’customed nook; And bursting through the crackling sedge That crowns the current’s caverned edge, He startles from the bordering wood The bashful wild-ducks early brood.” A considerable number of plants flower in this month, which Bloomfield beautifully describes. Neglected now the early daisy lies, Nor thou, pale primrose, bloom’st the only prize, Advancing Spring profusely spreads abroad Flowers of all hues with sweetest fragrance stored, Where’er she treads Love gladdens every plain, Delight on tiptoe bears her lucid train; Sweet Hope with conscious brow before her flies, Anticipating wealth for Summer skies. In particular, many of the fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, the flowers of which are peculiarly termed _blossoms_. These form a most agreeable spectacle, as well on account of their beauty, as of the promise they give of future benefits. “What exquisite differences and distinctions, and resemblances,” exclaims Warton, “there are between all the various blossoms of the fruit-trees; and no less in their general effect, than in their separate details. “The almond-blossom which comes first of all, and while the tree is quite bare of leaves, is of a bright blush-rose color; and when they are fully blown, the tree, if it has been kept to a compact head, instead of being permitted to straggle, looks like one huge rose, magnified by some fairy magic, to deck the bosom of some fair giantess. The various lands of plum follow, the blossoms of which are snow-white, and as full and clustering as those of the almond. The peach and nectarine, which are now preparing to put forth their blossoms, are unlike either of the above; and their sweet effect, as if growing out of the bare wall or rough wooden paling, is peculiarly pretty. They are of a deep blush color, and of a delicate bell-shape; the lips, however, divided and turning backward, to expose the interior to the cherishing sun. But, perhaps, the bloom that is richest, and most promising in its general appearance, is that of the cherry, clasping its white honors all around the long, straight branches, from heel to point, and not letting a leaf or bit of stem be seen, except the three or four leaves that come as a green finish at the extremity of each branch. The blossoms of the pears, and, loveliest of all, the apples, do not come in perfection till next month.”