MAY.

The following verses were composed by John Barbour, a poet and divine,
who was born at Aberdeen in 1330. They afford a specimen of the poetry
in his time:--


"This was in midst of month of May,
When birdis sing on ilka spray,
Melland[5] their notes, with seemly soun,
For softness of the sweet seasoun.

"And leavis of the branchis spreeds,
And blomis bright, beside them, breeds
And Fieldis strawed are with flow'rs
Well savouring of seir[6] colours;
And all things wor this, blyth, and gay."


P.T.W.

[5] Mingling.

[6] Their.

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