VIII

So to a thorny thicket dense The Faun

With rosy-coloured may-bloom, whence hides.

I can hear a torrent rumble,

And, peering forth, behold it tumble

Cumbrously into a pool whose white

Tumult sears the giddied sight.

There, half dozed, silent, smile to hear

A babble of voices drawing near,

Spy many a boy and laughing lass

Racing hands-linked across the grass.

Boys and Girls. Now has the blue-eyed Spring

Sped dancing through the plain. A CATCH

Girls weave a daisy chain; FOR SPRING.

Boys race beside the sedge;

Dust fills the blinding lane;

May lies upon the hedge:

All creatures love the spring!

The clouds laugh on, and would

Dance with us if they could;

The larks ascend and shrill;

A woodpecker fills the wood;

Jays laugh crossing the hill:

All creatures love the spring!

The lithe cloud-shadows chase

Over the whole earth's face,

And where winds ruffling veer

O'er wooded streams’ dark ways

Mad fish upscudding steer:

All creatures love the spring!

Into the dairy cool

Run, girls, to drink thick cream!

Race, boys, to where the stream

Winds through a rumbling pool,

And your bright bodies fling

Into the foaming cool!

For we'll enjoy our spring!