Flora inter Flores

When from the grass the flowers thrust forth amain,
As though they laughed the flickering sun to greet,
At early morn upon a day in May,
And the little birds in many a strain
Sing as best they can their carols sweet.
What equal joy can all the earth display?
Oh, half and half a heaven is this;
Yet, if I must name an equal bliss,
I'll tell you what I oft have seen
That brought mine eyes yet more delight,
Aye, and would bring them still, I ween.

When a lady high-born, chaste, and fair,
Decked with wreath and raiment doth advance,
Blithe at heart and courteous, not alone,
Midst the throng, to find her pastime there,
And now and then about her casts a glance,
Even as the sun among the stars is shown, —
Though all his marvels May should bring,
Where among them is so sweet a thing
As her most lovesome form and face?
We leave all flowers unheeded then,
And gaze upon the lady's grace.

Come, then, would ye see the truth made clear,
Let us to the festival of May!
For May hath come and with him all his train.
Look on him, look on gentle ladies here!
Which surpasseth which, I bid ye say!
Have I not chosen the better of the twain?
Alack, if I were bidden so: —
"Take the one and let the other go!"
How very quickly I should choose!
Sir May, ye must be March again
Before my lady I would lose.