April, pride of woodland ways, 
Of glad days, 
April, bringing hope of prime, 
To the young flowers that beneath 
Their bud sheath 
Are guarded in their tender time; 

April, pride of fields that be 
Green and free, 
That in fashion glad and gay, 
Stud with flowers red and blue, 
Every hue, 
Their jewelled spring array; 

April, pride of murmuring 
Winds of spring, 
That beneath the winnowed air, 
Trap with subtle nets and sweet 
Flora?s feet, 
Flora?s feet, the fleet and fair; 

April, by thy hand caressed, 
From her breast 
Nature scatters everywhere 
Handfuls of all sweet perfumes, 
Buds and blooms, 
Making faint the earth and air. 

April, joy of the green hours, 
Clothes with flowers 
Over all her locks of gold 
My sweet Lady; and her breast 
With the blest 
Birds of summer manifold. 

April, with thy gracious wiles, 
Like the smiles, 
Smiles of Venus; and thy breath 
Like her breath, the Gods? delight, 
(From their height 
They take the happy air beneath) 

It is thou that, of thy grace, 
From their place 
In the far-oft isles dost bring 
Swallows over earth and sea, 
Glad to be 
Messengers of thee, and Spring. 

Daffodil and eglantine, 
And woodbine, 
Lily, violet, and rose 
Plentiful in April fair, 
To the air, 
Their pretty petals do unclose. 

Nightingales ye now may hear, 
Piercing clear, 
Singing in the deepest shade; 
Many and many a babbled note 
Chime and float, 
Woodland music through the glade. 

April, all to welcome thee, 
Spring sets free 
Ancient flames, and with low breath 
Wakes the ashes grey and old 
That the cold 
Chilled within our hearts to death. 

Thou beholdest in the warm 
Hours, the swarm 
Of the thievish bees, that flies 
Evermore from bloom to bloom 
For perfume, 
Hid away in tiny thighs. 

Her cool shadows May can boast, 
Fruits almost 
Ripe, and gifts of fertile dew, 
Manna-sweet and honey-sweet, 
That complete 
Her flower garland fresh and new. 

Nay, but I will give my praise, 
To these days, 
Named with the glad name of Her 
That from out the foam o? the sea 
Came to be 
Sudden light on earth and air.