A Madrigal

The lily-bells ring underground,
    Their music small I hear
When globes of dew that shine pearl round
    Hang in the cowslip's ear
And all the summer blooms and sprays
    Are sheathed from the sun,
And yet I feel in many ways
    Their living pulses run.

The crowning rose of summer time
    Lies folded on its stem,
Its bright urn holds no honey-wine,
    Its brow no diadem,
And yet my soul is inly thrilled,
    As if I stood anear
Some legal presence unrevealed,
    The queen of all the year.

Oh Rose, dear Rose! the mist and dew
    Uprising from the lake,
And sunshine glancing warmly through,
    Have kissed the flowers awake--
The orchard blooms are dropping balm,
    The tulip's gorgeous cup
More slender than a desert palm
    It's chalice lifteth up.

The birds are mated in the trees,
    The wan stars burn and pale--
Oh Rose, come forth!--upon the breeze
    I hear the nightingale
Unfold the crimson waves that lie
    In darkness rosy dim,
And swing thy fragrant censer high,
    Oh royal Rose for him!

The hyacinths are in the fields
    With purple splendours pale
Their sweet bells ring responsive peals
    To every passing gale
And violets bending in the grass
    Do hide their glowing eyes,
When those enchanting voices pass,
    Like airs from Paradise.

We crowned our blushing Queen of May
    Long since, with dance and tune,
But the merry world of yesterday
    Is lapsing into June--
Thou art not here,--we look in vain--
    Oh Rose arise, appear!--
Resume thine emerald throne, and reign
    The queen of all the year!