Though meadow-ways as I did tread, <br />The corn grew in great lustihead, <br />And hey! the beeches burgeoned. <br />By Goddes fay, by Goddes fay! <br />It is the month, the jolly month, <br />It is the jolly month of May. <br /> <br />God ripe the wines and corn, I say, <br />And wenches for the marriage-day, <br />And boys to teach love's comely play. <br />By Goddes fay, by Goddes fay! <br />It is the month, the jolly month, <br />It is the jolly month of May. <br /> <br />As I went down by lane and lea, <br />The daisies reddened so, pardie! <br />'Blushets!' I said, 'I well do see, <br />By Goddes fay, by Goddes fay! <br />The thing ye think of in this month, <br />Heigho! this jolly month of May.' <br /> <br />As down I went by rye and oats, <br />The blossoms smelt of kisses; throats <br />Of birds turned kisses into notes; <br />By Goddes fay, by Goddes fay! <br />The kiss it is a growing flower, <br />I trow, this jolly month of May. <br /> <br />God send a mouth to every kiss, <br />Seeing the blossom of this bliss <br />By gathering doth grow, certes! <br />By Goddes fay, by Goddes fay! <br />Thy brow-garland pushed all aslant <br />Tells - but I tell not, wanton May!<br /><br />Francis Thompson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-may-burden/
