APRIL

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

Crowned April, king whose kiss bade earth

Bring forth to time her lordliest birth

When Shakespeare from thy lips drew breath

And laughed to hold in one soft hand

A spell that bade the world's wheel stand,

And power on life, and power on death,

With quiring suns and sunbright showers

Praise him, the flower of all thy flowers.