Yes! where Love nestles thou canst teach The soul to love the more; 50 Hearts also shall thy lessons reach That never loved before. Stript is the haughty one of pride, The bashful freed from fear, While rising, like the ocean-tide, 55 In flows the joyous year. Hush, feeble lyre! weak words refuse The service to prolong! To yon exulting thrush the Muse Entrusts the imperfect song; 60 His voice shall chant, in accents clear, Throughout the live-long day, Till the first silver star appear, The sovereignty of May. FOOTNOTES: [423] Doubtless the Rev. Mr. Carr, of Bolton Abbey, and his wife.--ED. [424] Compare _Thoughts on the Seasons_, written in 1829.--ED. TO MAY[425] Composed 1826-34.--Published 1835 One of the "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection."--ED. Though many suns have risen and set Since thou, blithe May, wert born, And Bards, who hailed thee, may forget Thy gifts, thy beauty scorn; There are who to a birthday strain 5 Confine not harp and voice, But evermore throughout thy reign Are grateful and rejoice! Delicious odours! music sweet, Too sweet to pass away! 10 Oh for a deathless song to meet The soul's desire--a lay That, when a thousand years are told, Should praise thee, genial Power! Through summer heat, autumnal cold, 15 And winter's dreariest hour. Earth, sea, thy presence feel--nor less, If yon ethereal blue With its soft smile the truth express, The heavens have felt it too. 20 The inmost heart of man if glad Partakes a livelier cheer; And eyes that cannot but be sad Let fall a brightened tear. Since thy return, through days and weeks 25 Of hope that grew by stealth, How many wan and faded cheeks Have kindled into health! The Old, by thee revived, have said, "Another year is ours;" 30 And wayworn Wanderers, poorly fed, Have smiled upon thy flowers. Who tripping lisps a merry song Amid his playful peers? The tender Infant who was long 35 A prisoner of fond fears; But now, when every sharp-edged blast Is quiet in its sheath, His Mother leaves him free to taste Earth's sweetness in thy breath. 40