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!