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.