The May-Queen.

Like flights of singing-birds went by

The cheerful hours of girlhood's day,

When, in my native bowers,

Of simple buds and flowers

They wove a crown, and hailed me Queen of May!

Like airy sprites the lasses came,

Spring's offerings at my feet to lay;

The crystal from the fountain,

The green bough from the mountain,

They brought to cheer and shade the Queen of May.

Around the May-pole on the green,

A fairy ring they tripped away;

All merriment and pleasure,

To chords of tuneful measure

They bounded by the happy Queen of May.

Though years have passed, and Time has strown

My raven locks with flakes of gray,

Fond Memory brings the hours

Of buds and blossom-showers

When in girlhood I was crowned the Queen of May.