A May-Day Carol

What is the loveliest light that Spring

Rosily parting her robe of grey

Girdled with leaflet green, can fling

Over the fields where her white feet stray?

What is the merriest promise of May

Flung o'er the dew-drenched April flowers?

Tell me, you on the pear-tree spray—

Carol of birds between the showers. 

What can life at its lightest bring

Better than this on its brightest day?

How should we fetter the white-throat's wing

Wild with joy of its woodland way?

Sweet, should love for an hour delay,

Swift, while the primrose-time is ours!

What is the lover's royallest lay?—

Carol of birds between the showers. 

What is the murmur of bees a-swing?

What is the laugh of a child at play?

What is the song that the angels sing?

(Where were the tune could the sweet notes stay

Longer than this, to kiss and betray?)

Nay, on the blue sky's topmost towers,

What is the song of the seraphim? Say—

Carol of birds between the showers.

Thread the stars on a silver string,

(So did they sing in Bethlehem's bowers!)

Mirth for a little one, grief for a king,

Carol of birds between the showers.