that they beheld no Fairies, nor Dwarfs, nor no such Thing, but
the very Venus herself, who bade them 'make such cheer as they
might, for' said she, 'I shall live no more in these Woods, nor
shall ye endure to see another May time.'"--EDMUND GORLIOT, "Of
Phantasies and Omens," p. 149. (1573.)

"Whence do ye come, with the dew on your hair?
From what far land are the boughs ye bear,
The blossoms and buds upon breasts and tresses,
The light burned white in your faces fair?"

"In a falling fane have we built our house,
With the dying Gods we have held carouse,
And our lips are wan from their wild caresses,
Our hands are filled with their holy boughs.

As we crossed the lawn in the dying day
No fairy led us to meet the May,
But the very Goddess loved by lovers,
In mourning raiment of green and grey.

She was not decked as for glee and game,
She was not veiled with the veil of flame,
The saffron veil of the Bride that covers
The face that is flushed with her joy and shame.

On the laden branches the scent and dew
Mingled and met, and as snow to strew
The woodland rides and the fragrant grasses,
White flowers fell as the night wind blew.