225Z 
 \n52 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 7 
 5 
 9 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Douglas 
 Description of May 

 
 f 
 
 I 
 
 -4g.t6. 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD 
 ENDOWMENT FUND
 
 m 
 
 DESGRIPTI ON 
 
 O F 
 
 MAY. 
 
 B 
 
 [Price One Shilling,]
 
 ■• *. 
 
 J- V-' X 
 
 :>i O 
 
 I H 1
 
 (iii) 
 
 
 T O 
 
 William Dixon, Efq; 
 
 HILE at your * Loverfal, fccure retreat. 
 Far from the vain, the bufy, and the great. 
 You pafs your peaceful hours in rural eafe, 
 Pleas'd with amufements that the wife may pleafe ; 
 Conduft clear currents thro' the vale below, 
 Bid buildings rife, and future navies grow -, 
 Or, by the facred thirft of learning led, 
 Converfe familiar with th* Illustrious Dc ad, 
 
 * The Scat of Mr. Dixon near Dofjcajkr. 
 
 B 
 
 Worthies 
 
 976301
 
 iv DEDICATION. 
 
 Worthies of old, who life by arts refin'd. 
 Taught wholefome laws, and humaniz'd mankind : 
 Can Dixon lillen to this flowery lay, 
 Where fplend id Douglas paints the blooming May ? 
 If aught thefe lines thy candid ear engage, 
 The mufe Ihall learn to moralize the page. 
 To give to merit the reward that's due. 
 And place the interefls of mankind in view. 
 Form tender minds by virtue's better lore, 
 And teach old infidels to doubt no more. 
 To tliee this verfe belongs j and may it prove 
 An earnePc of my gratitude and love. 
 
 THE
 
 ( ^ ) 
 
 THE 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 HE following poem of G aw in 
 Douglas is prefixed to the 
 Xllth book of his tranflation of 
 V I R G I l's ^ N E I s, and entitled, Anefingular 
 krnit Prolong of the Difcription of May 3 and 
 is now publifh'd, as a proof, that the mufes 
 had viiited Great Britain, and the flowers of 
 poetry began to be in bloom 250 years ago. 
 It may alfo ferve as an inftance, that the 
 Lowland Scotch language, and the Englirti, at 
 that time were nearly the fame. Chaucer 
 ' and Douglas may be look'd upon as the 
 two bright flars that illumin'd England and 
 
 B 2 Scotland,
 
 vi The PREFACE. 
 
 Scotland, after a dark interval of dulnefs, a 
 long night of ignorance and fuperftition, and 
 foretold the return of day, and the revival of 
 learning. 
 
 This Defcription of May is extremely pic- 
 turefque and elegant, and efteemed by gen- 
 tlemen, whofe good tafle and learning are 
 indifputable, to be one of the moft fplendid 
 defcriptions of that month that has appeared 
 in print J which is all the apology I {hall 
 make for having given it an Englifh drefs. 
 
 The old Scotch is printed exadly after the 
 Edinburgh edition, vi^hich was publilhed in the 
 year 17 lo. 
 
 
 SOME
 
 vu ) 
 
 SOME 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 O F 
 
 Gawin Douelas. 
 
 Aw IN Douglas, Bi/bop of Dun- 
 keld, was nobly defcended^ being ci 
 fon of the iilnjlrioiis fa??nly of An- 
 gus. His father was Archibald, the 
 fixth Earl of Angus : He married Elizabeth, 
 daughter to Robert Boyd, (who was Chancellor 
 and one of the Governors of the Kingdofn of 
 Scotland, A, D. 1468.) by whom he had ijue 
 
 four
 
 ( viii ) 
 
 fair fo7iSy George, William, Gavvin, and Ay- 
 chibald. 'The two eldej}^ ivith 200 Gentlemen 
 cf the name of Douglas, were killed in the 
 battle of Flodden. 
 
 Ou7' Author was born the latter End of the 
 year 1474, or the beginning of 1475. Great 
 care was taken of his education^ and he was 
 ea?'ly infinite d in the liberal Avis and Sci- 
 ences. When he had complcated his ft u dies in 
 his even country ^ he went abroad, that he might 
 farther improve himfelf by converfation with 
 great a?jd learned men, and obfervations en 
 the laws and ciijloms cf other coimtries. Upon 
 his return to Scotland, he was advanced to be 
 provo/l of the collegiate church of St. Giles in 
 Edinburgh, and reul-or of Heriot chirch, fome 
 Jew miles diftant from it. In this ft at ion he 
 continued fever al years, bebaring himfelf as be- 
 came his holy character, noble birth ^ and liberal 
 education. After the battle of Flodden many 
 ■ecclcfiaflical dignities became vacant , among 
 which was the abbacy of Aberbrutliock, o?ie of 
 
 the
 
 (ix 3 
 
 the mojl confJerahJe in the kmgdom. ^he ^een 
 Mother^ who was then Regent, and JJjortly af- 
 ter married to the Earl oj Angus, our Author's 
 nephew, prefented him to it ; and foo?i after to 
 the Archbijhoprick of St. Andrews. But he 
 met with fo great oppojition in this affair, that 
 ?ieither the Royal authority, nor the influence 
 of his noble relations, nor his own unexception" 
 able merits, were able to procure him peace-- 
 able pofefjion : For Andrew Forman (Bijhop 
 of Murray, cind Archbifiop of Bourges /;/ 
 France) by the inter eft he had i?i the Court 
 of Rome, and the Duke of Albany, obtaified a 
 bull from the Pope for that dignity^ and was 
 accordingly acknowledged as Archbifoop by ??joft 
 cf the Clergy of the See. Mr, Douglas, re- 
 feeling on the fcandals which arofe from fuch 
 unworthy contefts, and preferrifig the ho?iour of 
 a Chriftian, and peaceable dlfpofition to his tem- 
 poral intereft and greatnefs, wholly laid afide 
 his preteffons to that See. Bui the Bifoprick 
 of'Dvinkd(\becGj?jirtg^cacant, ;>/ January 15 15, 
 the S^ieen advanced him to it ; and afterwards, 
 
 by
 
 by the inter ccfjlon of lienry VITI. King of 
 England, obtained a bull in his favour from 
 Pope Leo X. Notwithjiandiyrg his right was 
 founded on the Royal and Papal authority j yet 
 he could not obtain confecration for a conf- 
 derable timey becaufe of a powerjul competitor ; 
 for Andrew Stewart, Prebendary i?/' Craig, and 
 brother to the Earl 0/ A thole, had got himfelf 
 nofninated Bijlocp by fuch of the Chapter as 
 *were prefent ; and his title was fupported by 
 all the enemies cj the ^een and her Hujhand 
 the Earl of Angus, particularly the Duke of 
 Albany, who returning to Scotland in May 
 J515, ivds declared Regent. In the firft fef- 
 jion of Parliament after the Governors ar- 
 rivals iVfr. Doug] as was accufed, on fome ground- 
 lefs pretext or ether, of aSllug contrary to the 
 laws cf the nation, was pronounced guilty y and 
 committed to the cajlle of St. Andrews, and 
 imprifond upwards of a year, till the Governor 
 was reccnciled to the ^een and the Earl of 
 Angus : Then he was fit at liberty y received 
 info the favour oj the Regent^ and confe crated 
 
 Bifl:op
 
 (xi) 
 
 JBifiop at Glafgow. Notwithjianding^ his trcu- 
 blcs ivere ?iot yet at an end, for his old anta- 
 gonijl, Andrew Stewart, had pojfcfs'd himfelf 
 of the palace of Dunkeli, and feemed refohed 
 to defend it agai?iji the Bifiop by fofxe of 
 arms : However , at laji it was yielded tip, 
 without any bloodjhed *, which was very ac~ 
 ccptable to the good Bifiop, who was of a 
 gentle and merciful difpofition, a?id always re- 
 gulated himfelf bj the excellent laws of the 
 Chrijlian religion, 
 
 Seing at loft put in peaceable pojfe^ion of 
 his office^ he refohed to give himfelf wholly to 
 the faithful difcharge of his duty : but the 
 interejl of his country would ?20t permit him 
 long to fatisfy his own inclinations, jor he was 
 pitched upon to attend the Duke of Albany 
 into France, to renew the antient league bc^ 
 tween the two nations : however he foon retur?ied 
 to Edinburgii, with a joyful account oj the 
 confirmatim of the league \ afi-d tj^efice repaired 
 
 G t»
 
 ( xii ) 
 
 to^ his dkccft\ and. applied limfelf to the duties 
 of his fimBion, 
 
 But fever al jwhappy divifions being fcon af- 
 ter fomented in Scotland, and the Bifop of 
 Dankeld perceiving the violent avcrfion 'which 
 the court had conceived againf the family of 
 Angus, and the danger he ivas cxpyofed to on 
 that account J refohcd to retire into England 
 -till the form ivas bloivn over. 'This happened 
 at a time when the King of England had jufl 
 declared ivar again/i the Scots j which gave 
 his enemies at home, who were the prevailing 
 party at court, an opportunity to endeavour his 
 ruin. A proclamation was foon iffued out a- 
 gaiift him, he was declared an e?iemy to his 
 country, the revenues of his bifioprick were fe- 
 quefierd, and all correfpondencc with him was 
 forbid. 
 
 Soon qfter his coming to London, i& pleafed 
 God to put an end to the perfccutions of his 
 
 enemies^
 
 enemies, by taking him to himfelf. Mojl au- 
 thors agree that he died of the plague, which 
 then raged in the City, in April 1522, about' • 
 the forty-eighth year oj his age. He was bti- ' 
 ried in the Hofpital- church of the Savoy, on^ 
 the left fide of the tombflone of Thomas Hal-.- 
 fay, BiJJjGp 6/"Leighlin in Ireland. In Weever'i 
 ancient momnnents we find this infcription for'^ 
 them both. Hie jacet Tho. Halfay Leighlinen. 
 EpifcopuSj in Bafilica St. Petri Romae nationis 
 Anglicorum Poenitentiarius, fumma: probitatis 
 vir, qui hoc folum pofl fe reliquit ; Vixit, 
 dum vixit, bene. Cui. lasvus. conditur, Gawi- 
 nus. Douglas, Scotus. Dunkelden. Prajful, 
 Patria. fua. exul. 1522. 
 
 Such was the fate of this great genius and 
 
 good man 3 for whofe Elogy, as a Poet, I 
 
 fhall refer the reader to his works, which are 
 
 very eloquent in his praife ; and out of feve- 
 
 ral teflimonies of eminent men that might be 
 
 produced in his favour, fliall only tranfcribe 
 
 this palTage from Hume's Hiflory of the Doug- 
 
 Ja/JeSy p. 220. 
 
 C 2 G.
 
 ( XIV ) 
 
 " G. Douglafs left behind him great appro^ 
 bation of his vertues, and love of his perfon, 
 in the hearts of all good men j for befides 
 thq nobility of his birth, the dignity and 
 comellnefs of his perfonage, he was learned, 
 temperate, and of lingular moderation of mind j 
 and in thofe turbulent times had always car- 
 ried himfclf among the factions of the No- 
 bility equally, and with a mind to mak: peace, 
 and not to ftir up parties. " 
 
 His chief works are, his tranflation of 
 Virgil's Mneis, the Falice of Honour a Poem, 
 AiirecB narrationes, Cotnoedia aliquot facra, ^ 
 de rehus Scoticis Liber, 
 
 A
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 O F 
 
 MAY.
 
 GAWIN DOUGLAS 
 
 His lingular lernit 
 
 P R O L O U G 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 DISCRIPTION of MAY. 
 
 I ONE A, nycht hird, and wache of day. 
 The fternes chafit of the heuin away. 
 Dame Cynthia doun rolling in the feye, 
 And Venus loift the bewte of hir eye, 
 Fleand efchamet within Cyllenius caue, § 
 
 Mars umbedrew from all his grundin glaue, 
 
 Nor
 
 A 
 
 DESCRIPTION of MAY- 
 
 B Y 
 
 G AWIN DOUGLAS, 
 
 Bifhop of D U N K E L D. 
 MODERNIZED, 
 
 VENUS, bright beam of night, and watch of 
 day. 
 
 Had chas'd the lingering ftars of HeaY*n away, 
 
 Driv'n to the deep pale Cynthia from the fky. 
 
 And loft herfelf the beauty of her eye ; 
 
 With Mercury fhe fought the fecret fliade, '5 
 
 And Mars withdrew, for sU his burning blade ; 
 
 Nor
 
 4 A Difcription of May* 
 
 Nor frawart Saturne from his mortall fpere 
 
 Durfl langare in the firmament appere, 
 
 Bot flal abak zound in his regioun far, 
 
 Behynd the circulate warld of Jupiter ; 10 
 
 Nydimene afFrayit of the licht 
 
 Went under couert, for gone was the nycht j 
 
 As frefche Aurora, to mychty Tithone fpous, 
 
 Ifchit of her fafferon bed and euyr hous. 
 
 In crammefy clede and granit violate, 15 
 
 With fanguyne cape, and feluage purpurate, 
 
 Unfchet the wyndois of hir large hall, 
 
 Spred all with rofis, and full of balme riall. 
 
 And eik the heuinly portis crillaiiyne 
 
 Upwarpis brade, the warldc till illumyne; 2© 
 
 The twynkling ftremouris of the orient 
 
 Sched pourpour fprayngis with gold and ailire ment, 
 
 Perfand the fabil barmkin no6lurnall, 
 
 Bet down the flcyes cloudy mantil wall; 
 
 Eous the ftede, with ruby ham my s rede, 25 
 
 Abufe the feyis liftis furth his hede, 
 
 or
 
 A Defcription of May. 5 
 
 Nor gloomy Saturn, rolling in his fphere, 
 Durft longer in the firmament appear, 
 But vanilh'd far from ken of mortals, far 
 Beyond great Jupiter's imperial ftar. tO 
 
 The fcreech owl, fbartled at the dawning light, 
 Wing'd to her bow'r her folitary flight : 
 For freili Aurora, Tithon's fplendid fpoufe, 
 Rofe from her faffron bed, and left her ivory houfe; 
 Her vi'let robe was ftain'd with crimfon hue, 15 
 The cape vermilion, and the border bluej 
 Her hands the Vv'indov/s of her hall unbarr'd^ 
 Spread all with rofes, and perfum'd with nard •: 
 The cryftal gates of Heav'n expanded wide 
 Pour'd flreams of fplendor in an ample tide : 20 
 The beaming Orient, beauteous to behold, 
 Shed purple rays, and azure mlx'd with gold, 
 Difperfing with all-penetrating light 
 The folid gloom of cloud-envelop'd night. 
 The Sun's gaycourfcrs, in their harnefs red, 25 
 
 Above the billowy ocean's boundlefs bed 
 
 D Rais'd 
 
 ! .
 
 6 A Difcription of May. 
 
 Of culloure fore, and fume dele broune as bery. 
 
 For to alichtin and glad our emyfpery. 
 
 The flambe out braflin at the neifs thirlis. 
 
 So hCi * Phaeton v/ith the quhip him quhirlis, 30 
 
 To roll Apollo his faderis goldin chare. 
 
 That fchroudith all the heuynnys and the are ; 
 
 Quhii fchortlie with the blefand torche of day, 
 
 Abulzeit in his lemand frefche array, 
 
 Furth of his palice riall ifchit Phebus, ^§ 
 
 With goldin croun and vifage glorius, 
 
 Crifp harls, bricht as chriiTolite or thopas. 
 
 For quhais hew mycht nane behald his face. 
 
 The fyrie fparkis brafting from his ene. 
 
 To purge the are, and gilt the tendir grenc, 40 
 
 Defoundand from his fege etheriall 
 
 Glade influent afpcdis celicall, 
 
 Before his regal hie magnificence 
 
 Myfty vapoure vpfpringand fwete as fence, 
 
 * This confuilon of Phcebus and Phaeton is an error 
 which feveral old Engiifh writers have fallen into. 
 
 In
 
 A Defcription of May. 7 
 
 Rais*d high their heads, impetuous in career. 
 To give the light, and glad our hemifphere. 
 So faft they fcour'd, that from their noftrils came 
 A cloud of fmoke, and flreams of living flame, 30 
 Fir'd by the whirling v/hip their round to run. 
 And roll the golden chariot of the fun. 
 While fhortly with the blazing torch of day 
 Forth from his royal hall in frefh array 
 Sprung Phoebus, by his flaming mantle known, 35 
 His glorious vifage, and his golden crown ; 
 His gloflTy locks were as the topaz bright. 
 His radiance beam'd intolerable light ; 
 His eye-balls fparkled with celeflial flieen. 
 To purge the air, and gild the tender green, 40 
 Diffiifing from the brightnefs of his brow, 
 Etherial mildncfs on the world below. 
 Before the king of day thin vapours rofe. 
 Like clouds of incenfe, and as fweet as thofe, 
 
 D 2 (The
 
 8 A Difcription of May. 
 
 In fmoky foppis of donk dewis wak, 45 
 
 With hailfum flouis ouerheiland the flak. 
 
 The auriate phanis of his trone fouerane 
 
 With gUtterand glance ouerfpred the odiane. 
 
 The large fiudis lemand all of licht, 
 
 Bot with ane blenk of his fupernale ficht j 50 
 
 For to behald it was ane glore to fe. 
 
 The ftabyllyt wyndys, and the calmyt fe. 
 
 The foft feiloLin, the Hrmament ferene. 
 
 The loune illuminate are, and firth amene. 
 
 The fikier fcaht fyfchis on the grete, ^s 
 
 Ouer thowrt clere ftremes fprinkilland for the hete. 
 
 With fynnys fchinand broun as fynopare. 
 
 And chefal tahs, flourand here and thare -, 
 
 The new cullour alichting all the landis 
 
 Forgane the flanryis fchcne, and bcrial ftrandis : 60 
 
 Quhil the reflex of the diurnal bemes 
 
 The bene bonkis kefl: full of variant glemes : 
 
 And lufl:y Flora did hir bionics fprede 
 
 Under the fete of Phebus fulzeart flede : 
 
 The
 
 A Defcription of May. 9 
 
 (The dewy tribute which the meads exhale) 45 
 
 Curling they rofe, and hover'd o'er the vale. 
 The golden fplendor of his glorious beams 
 Glanc'd on the floods, and glitter'd in the ftreams. 
 And all the ocean flione ferenely bright, 
 With the firft glimpfe of his fupernal fight. 50 
 How calm ! how Hill ! how pleafing to behold 
 The fea's broad bofom where no billows roll'd ! 
 The feafon foft, the firmament ferene, 
 Th' illumin'd landfcape, and the watry fcene ! 
 Where fportive fifh difplay'd their filver pride, 55 
 Quick- glancing on the furface of the tide. 
 By rulTet fins impell'd from fhore to fhore, 
 Their tail the rudder, and their fin the oar. 
 New luftre gilded all the rifing lands. 
 The ftony hillocks, and the beryl flrands •, 60 
 
 While the refieflion of the glowing beams 
 Play'd on the banks in variegated gleams. 
 Where-e'er Apollo's radiant courfers went. 
 
 Sprung flov/ers unnumber'd of delicious fcent •, 
 
 Earth's
 
 lo A Difcription of May. 
 
 The fvfarclk foyll enbrode with felkouth hewls, 6^ 
 Wod and foreft obumbrate v/ith the bewis, 
 Quhais biysful branchis porturate on the ground 
 With fchaddois fchene fchew rochis rubicund, 
 Towris, turettis, kirnalis, and pynnakilHs hie 
 Ofkirkis, caftellis, and ilk faire ciete, 70 
 
 Stude payntit, euery fane, phioll and flage 
 Apoun the plane ground, by their awin umbrage : 
 Of Eokis north blaftis hauand na drede. 
 The fulze fpred hir brade bofum on brede, 
 Zephyrus confortabill infpiratioun 75 
 
 For tyll reffaue law in hir barne adoun : 
 The corn is croppis, and the bere new brerde 
 Wyth gladefum garmont reuefting the erd ; 
 So thyk the plantis fprang in euery pete. 
 The feildis ferlyis of their f ructuous flete : 80 
 
 Byfly dame Geres, and proude Priapus 
 Reiofing of the planis plentuous, 
 Plennyfl fo plefand, and maill propirly 
 By nature nurifiit wounder tendirly, 
 
 Oil
 
 A Defcription of May. h 
 
 Earth's flourifh'd carpet various hues difplay'd, 65 
 And wood and foreft wore a fuller Ihade, 
 Whofe beauteous branches, chequer'd on the green, 
 Imbrown'd the rigid rocks that rofe between : 
 Tow'rs, battlements, and caftles huge and high. 
 Turrets, and fpires that mingle with the iky, *jm 
 And every dome, and pinnacle, and fane, 
 By their own fhade flood figured on the plain. 
 The glebe, now fearlefs of the North's keen aii-. 
 To the foft Zephyrs fpread her bofom bare. 
 With genial warmth her fertile lap to chear, 71 
 
 And fill her with the plenty of the year. 
 Frefli fpringing corn enliven'd all the fcene, 
 And cloath'd the country with a robe of green i 
 And plants fo numerous open'd to the view. 
 The fields rejoicing wonder'd how they grew. 80 
 With joy the goddefs of the golden grain. 
 And proud Priapus ey'd the pregnant plain ; 
 Where fruitful nature wak'd her genial power. 
 And rear*d, and fofter'd every herb and flower : 
 
 The
 
 12 A Difcription of Mav. 
 
 On the fertyl fkyrt lappis of the ground 9^ 
 
 Strekand on brede under the cyrkil round : 
 * The varyant vefture of the venuft vale 
 Schrowdis the fchcrand fur, and euery fale 
 Ouerfrett with fulzeis, and fyguris ful dyuers. 
 The pray byfprent with fpryngand fproutis dyfpers, 
 For callour humours on the dewy nycht, 91 
 
 Rendryng fum place the gyrs pylis thare licht, 
 Als fer as catal the lang fomerys day 
 Had in thare pafture ete and gnyp av»/ay : 
 And blyfsful blofibmys in the blomyt zard g^ 
 
 Submittis thare hedys in the zoung fonnys fafgard : 
 lue leuis rank ouerfpred the barmkyn wall. 
 The blomit hauthorne clcd his pykis all, 
 
 Furth 
 
 [Ver. 87, Th -varyant t'cfiiire, &c.] It is evident our au- 
 thor intends to defcribe two dtflinft things, v\%. cornfields, 
 and meadows or pafture-lands, the former in the three firft 
 
 lines, the 'varyant vejiiire, &c. is plainly arable, and 
 
 the fulzeis and fyguris ful dyuers, are the various leaves and 
 flowers of the weeds growing among the corn, and making 
 a piece of embroidery. And here the defcription of cornfields 
 
 ends.
 
 A Defcription of May. 13 
 
 The fair creation fwell'd upon the eye ; 85 
 
 Earth was their bed, their canopy the fky. 
 A varied verdure rob'd the vales around. 
 And fpread luxuriant o'er the furrow'd ground : 
 And flowery weeds, that grew profufe between 
 The barley-lands, diverfified the fcene. 90 
 
 The filver fprings, that through the meadows flow'd 
 In many a rill, fertility beftow'd -, 
 And where the humid night's relloring dew 
 Dropt on the ground the bladed herbage grew, 
 As faft as cattle the long fummer's day g^ 
 
 Had cropt the grafly fuflenance away. 
 A bloom diffufive o'er the gardens run. 
 Confiding in the fafeguard of the fun : 
 Wreath'd ivy mantled round the lofty tower ; 
 And hawthorn- hedges whiten'd into flower. 100 
 
 ■ends, and that of pafture-lands begins at, The pray hyfpnnty 
 &c. Pray^ not as the gloffary to G. Douglas fays, corruptcdly 
 for fpray, but formed from the Lat. Fratum, and Spryngatid 
 Sproutis, rifing fprings, from the Ital. fpruzxare, fpruzzolartt 
 ere, 
 
 E The
 
 14 A Difcription of May. 
 
 Furth of frefche burgeouns tlie wyne grapis zing 
 Endlang the trazileys dyd on twiftis hing, loo 
 
 The loukit buttouns on the gemyt treis 
 Ouerfpredand leuis of naturis tapeflryis. 
 Soft grefy verdoure eftir balmy fchouris, 105 
 
 On curland ftalkis fniyland to thare flowris : 
 Behaldand thame fa mony divers hew 
 Sum piers, fum pale, fum burner, and fum blew. 
 Sum gres, fum gowlis, fum purpure, fum fanguane, 
 Blanchit or broun, fauch zallow mony ane, i lo 
 
 Sum heuinly colourit in celeftial gre, 
 Sum wattry hewit as the haw wally fe. 
 And fum departe in freklis rede and quhyte. 
 Sum bricht as gold with aureate leuis lyte. 
 The dafy did on brede hir crownel fmale, 115 
 
 And euery flour unlappit in the dale. 
 In battil gers burgeouns, the banwart wyld, 
 The clauir, catcluke, and the cammomylde -, 
 The flourdclyce furth fprede his heuynly hew, 
 Floure damas, and columbe blak and blew, 1 20 
 
 Sere
 
 A Defcription of May. 15 
 
 The frefh-form'd grapes In little clufters hung ; 
 Clofe to their props the curling tendrils clung. 
 The buds, that fwell'd in gems on every tree, 
 Burft into foliage, nature's tapeftry. 
 
 Lol by foft zephyrs wak'd, and gentle fhowers, 105 
 On bending ftalks fmile voluntary flowers, 
 Trick*d off in vaft variety of hue. 
 Some red, pale, purple, yellow, brown or blue 5 
 Some brightly ting'd in heav'n's etherial ftain. 
 And fome cerulean, like the watry main, no 
 
 Some crimfon-colour'd, fairly fleckt with white. 
 Some gold that gayly glitter'd in the light. 
 The daify did its coronet unveil. 
 And every fiow'r unfolded in the dale ; 
 Rank fprung falubrious herbs, and every weed, i i;g 
 And clover bloom'd luxuriant in the mead : 
 The flow'r-de-luce abroad its beauty fpread. 
 
 And columbine advanc'd his purple head : 
 
 E 2 From
 
 1 6 A Difcrlption of May. 
 
 Sere downis fmal on dentilioun fprang, 
 
 The zoung grene blomit ftrabery leuis amang. 
 
 Gimp jereflouris * thareon leuis unfchet, 
 
 Frefche prymrois, and the purpour violet. 
 
 The rois knoppis, tetand furth thare hede, 125 
 
 Gan chyp, and kyth thare vernale lippis rede, 
 
 Cryfp fkarlet leuis fum fcheddand baith attanis, 
 
 ■f Keft fragrant fmel amyd fra goldin granis, 
 
 Heuinlie lyllyis, with lokkerand toppis quhyte, 
 
 Opynnit and fchew thare creiftis redemyte, 130 
 
 The balmy vapour from thare fylkyn croppis 
 
 Diftilland halefum fugurat hony droppis, 
 
 And fylver fchakeris gan fra leuys hing, 
 
 With cryftal iprayngis on the verdure zing : 
 
 The 
 
 * Probably Gawin Douglas wrote i/jare anuin. Vide Ver. 72. 
 thare antjin umbrage. 
 
 Ver. 126. Keft fragrant fmel, &€.] It is obfervable, tliat 
 Gawin Douglas never once mentions the fcent of flowers till 
 he comes to the rofe, and never at all the fcent of any par- 
 ticular flower, except the rofe, not even of the lilly ; for, I 
 take it, the words, Ver. I'^x.from thare fylkyn croppis, are meant 
 
 to
 
 A Defcription of May. 17 
 
 From dandelion flew the feeded down. 
 
 And ftrawb'ry beds bore wild weeds, not their own. 
 
 Carnations glow'd in gay ly- mingled hue •, 
 
 Pale was the primrofe, and the vi'let blue. 
 
 Its velvet lips the bafliful rofe begun 
 
 To fhew, and catch the kifies of the fun -, 
 
 Some fuller blown their crimfon honours fhed ; 125 
 
 Sweet fmelt the golden chives that grac'd their head. 
 
 Queen of the field, in milkwhite mantle drefl:. 
 
 The lovely lilly wav'd her curling creft. 
 
 From every flower ambrofial fweets diftill'd, 
 
 Ambrofial fweets the ambient asther fill'd. 13® 
 
 Dev/-drops like diamonds hung on every tree, 
 
 And fprinkled filv'ry luflre o'er the lea, 
 
 to defcrlbe the flow«rs in general j and the halmy i^apour to bt 
 the fame with the frefihe liquour, Ver. 138. and the duke hu~ 
 mouris ^hareof the beis ivrocht thare hony fwete, an exhalation 
 diftind from that which caufes the fcent ; and redolent cdour, 
 Vcr. 1 44, is general ; for he certainly means to clofe his de- 
 fcription of the vegetable world, (and he does it nobly) by one 
 univerfal cloud of fragance from all nature, as well f elds as 
 gardens. 
 
 And
 
 1 8 A Difcription of May. 
 
 The plane pouderit with femelie feitis found, 135- 
 
 Bedyit ful of dewy peirlys round ; 
 
 So that ilk burgeon, fyon, herbe, or floure, 
 
 Wox all enbalmit of the frefche liquour, 
 
 And baithit halt did in duke humouris flete, 
 
 Quhareof the beis wrocht thare hony fwete, 14a 
 
 Be mychty Phebus operatiouns. 
 
 In fappy fubtell exhalatiouns : 
 
 Forgane the cummyn of this pry nee potent. 
 
 Redolent odour up from the rutis fprent, 
 
 Halefum of fmel as * * * 14^ 
 
 Aromatike gummcs, or ony fyne potioun, 
 
 Muft, myr, aloyes, or confedioun. 
 
 Ane paradife it femyt to draw nere 
 
 Their galzeard gardingis, and eik grene herbere : 
 
 May ft amyabil waxis the emerant medis, 150 
 
 * Swannis fouchis throw out the refpand redis, 
 
 * There is fomething aukward in making the tranfition 
 from vegetables to animals in the divifion of a couplet, which 
 the Tranflator ha? endeavoured to avoid. 
 
 Ouer
 
 A Defcriptlon of May. 19 
 
 And all the verd'rous herbage of the ground 
 
 Was deck'd with pearls which caft a fplendor round. 
 
 Theflow'rs, the buds, and every plant that grew i^i 
 
 Sipt the frefh fragrance of the morning dew : 
 
 In every plant the liquid nedlar flow'd. 
 
 In every bud, and every flow'r that blow'd ; 
 
 Here rov'd the bufy bees without controul, 
 
 Robb'd the fweet bloom, and fuck'd its balmy foul. 1 40 
 
 To greet the God, from earth's fair bofom flow*d 
 
 All nature's incenfe in a fragrant cloud. 
 
 More graceful far than thofe grofs fumes impart. 
 
 Which tort'ring fires extradl by chymic art. 
 
 Like paradife appear'd each blifsful fcene 145 
 
 Of purple gardens, and enclofures green. 
 
 Of bloomy hedges, and of waving woods. 
 
 Of flowery meads, and rufliy-fringed floods : 
 
 Where filver fwans, with fnowy pride elate, 
 
 Their tall necks mantling, fail'd along in ftate, 150 
 
 By
 
 20 A Difcriptlon of May. 
 
 Ouer all the lochis and the fludis gray, 
 
 Serfand by kynd ane place quhare they fuld lay : 
 
 * Phebus rede foule his ciiraie creift can ftere. 
 
 Oft flrekand furth his hekkil crawand clere 155 
 
 Amyd the wortis, and the rutis gent, 
 
 Pickland hys mete in alayis quhare he went. 
 
 His wyffis Toppa and Partokt hym by. 
 
 As bird al tyme that hantis bygamy ; 
 
 The payntit powne payfand with plumys gym, 160 
 
 Kefl up his tale ane proud plefand quhile rym, 
 
 Ifchrowdit in his fedderane bricht and fchene, 
 
 Schapand the prent of Argois hundrcth ene ; 
 
 Amang the bronys of the olyue twiflis. 
 
 Sere fmale floulis, wirkand crafty neftis, 1 65 
 
 Endlang the hedgeis thik, and on rank akis 
 
 Ilk bird reiofand with thare mirthful makis ; 
 
 * That Milion had his eye upon this pafTage, is plain from 
 his defcribing the Swan, the Cocic and Peacock in the order, 
 and with fcvcral of the attributes that our Author has given 
 them. /';./. B. 7. V. 438, &:c. 
 
 In
 
 A Defcription of May. 21 
 
 By inflind taught their ozier nefts to make 
 On the dank margin of the lucid lake. 
 Brilk Chanticleer wav'd high his coral creft. 
 And crowing clapt his pinnions to his breaft ; 
 With orient heel he lightly fpurn'd the ground, 155 
 And chuck'd for joy at every corn he found ; 
 And as he ftrutted on in gallant pride. 
 Two wives obfequious waited at his fide ; 
 For cocks, that couple with their neareft kin, 
 Hold bygamy a pardonable fin. i6d 
 
 The peacock proudly pac'd upon the plain. 
 And like a circle bent his gaudy train, 
 "Where vivid colours brightly-beaming ftrove 5 
 He feem*d beneath a canopy to move : 
 His flarry plumes reflected various dyes, 165 
 
 Refembling Argus with his hundred eyes. 
 Where leafy branches form'd a fecret fliade 
 The painted birds their cunning fabricks made, 
 Or on the oak, or implicated thorn. 
 And wanton'd in the beauty of the morn. 1 70 
 
 F Her
 
 2 2 A Difcription of May. 
 
 In corneris and clere fenefteris of glas 
 
 Full befely Arachne weuand was. 
 
 To knyt hyr nettis and hyr wobbis fle, 170 
 
 Tharewith to cauchtlie litil mige or fle : 
 
 Under the bewis bene in lufely valis. 
 
 Within fermance and parkis clois of palis. 
 
 The buftuous bukkis rakis furth on raw, 
 
 Heirdis of hertis throw the thyck wod fcha^, 1 75 
 
 The zoung fownys followand the dun days, 
 
 Kiddis fkippand throw ronnys efdr rais. 
 
 In lefuris and on leyis iitill lammes 
 
 Full tait and trig focht bletand to thare dammes. 
 
 On fait ftremes wolk Dorida and Thetis, 1 80 
 
 By rynnand ftrandis, nymphes and naiades. 
 
 Sic as we clepe wenfchis and damyflellis. 
 
 In gerfy grauis wanderand by fpring wellis. 
 
 Of blomed branchis and fleuris quhyte and rede 
 
 Plettand their lufly chaplettis for thare hede : 185 
 
 Sum
 
 A Defcription of May. 23 
 
 Her wary ftand the watchful fpider took 
 In the glafs window, or fome gloomy nook. 
 There wove her web, in filmy texture fly. 
 To captivate the little gnat, or fly. 
 Beneath the trees that fcreen the lovely vale, 1 75 
 Within the limits of the fencing pale, 
 March nimble-footed deer in rank array'd. 
 Or feek the flielter of the green- wood fliade : 
 Young kids, light fl^ipping, and the timorous fawns 
 Brufli thro the copfe, and bound along the lawns: 1 80 
 While in frefli pafl:ures or the fallows gray 
 Lambs nibble in the wantonnefs of play. 
 Emerging from their coral-paven cave 
 Thetis and Doris walk upon the wave. 
 But fl:ream-preflding nymphs, and naiads trim, 185 
 By the clear current, or the fountain's brim. 
 Such as we name our gentle maids that rove. 
 By waters welling in the grafly grove. 
 Culling green boughs, and bells, and flourets fair. 
 And weaving garlands for their golden hairj 190 
 
 F 2 Some
 
 24 A Difcription of May. 
 
 Sum fang ring fangis, dancis, ledis, and roundis, 
 "With vocis fchil, quhil all the dale refoundis ; 
 And thochtful luffaris rownyis to and fro. 
 To leis thare pane, and plene thare joly wo, 
 Eftir thare gife, now fingand, now in forow, 190 
 "With herds penfiue, the lang fomeris morow : 
 Sum ballettis lift endite of his lady. 
 Sum leuis in hope, and fum alluterly 
 Difparit is, and fa quyte out of grace, 
 Hys purgatory he fyndis in euery place, 195 
 
 * * * new curage kitillis all gentil hertis, 
 Seand throw kynd ilk thing fpryngis and reuertis : 
 Dame naturis menftralis, on that uthyr parte, 
 Thare blifsful bay intonyng euery arte. 
 To bete thare amouris of thare nychtis bale, 200 
 The merle, the mauys, and the nychtingale. 
 With mirry notis myrthfully furth brift, 
 Entorfing thaym quha micht do clink it befl : 
 The kowfchot croudis and pykkis on the ryfe. 
 The ftirling changis diuers fleuynnys nyfe, 205 
 
 The
 
 A Defcription of May. 25 
 
 Some fweetly fing, fome lead the feftive round ; 
 
 The diftant dales re-ecchoe to the found : 
 
 And thoughtful lovers to the winds complain. 
 
 To mitigate the madnefs of their pain -, 
 
 Now warbling madrigals fo light and gay, 195 
 
 Now pale and penfive the long fummer's day : 
 
 Some write in high heroicks to the fair. 
 
 Some live in hope, and fome thro* fad defpair 
 
 In every place a purgatory find ; 
 
 Such is the moody genius of their mind. 200 
 
 All gentle hearts confefs the quick'ning fpring. 
 For May invigorates every living thing. 
 Hark ! how the merry mindrels of the grove 
 Devote the day to melody and love ; 
 The ouzle fhrill, that haunts the thorny dale, 205 
 The mellow thrufh, the love-lorn nightingale ; 
 Their little breads with emulation fwell, 
 And fweetly drive in finging to excell. 
 In the thick fortfls feeds the cooing dove ; 
 The darling whidles various notes of love : 210 
 
 The
 
 26 A Difcription of May. 
 
 The fparrow chirmis in the wallis clyfr, 
 
 Goldfpink and lintquhite fordynnand the lyfr. 
 
 The gukkow galis, and fo quhitterls the quale, 
 
 Quhil ryveris reirdit, fchawis, and euery dale. 
 
 And tendir twiftis trymblit on the treis, 210 
 
 For birdis fang, and bemyng of the beis. 
 
 In werblis dulce of heuinlie armonyis. 
 
 The larkis loude releifchand in the fkyis, 
 
 Louis thare lege with tonys curious ; 
 
 Bayth to dame Natur, and the frefche Venus, 215 
 
 Rendring hie laudis in thare obferuance, 
 
 Quhais fuggourit throttis made glade hartis dance, 
 
 And al fmal foulis fingis on the fpray -, 
 
 Welcum the lord of licht, and lampe of day, 
 Welcum fofterare of tendir herbis grene, 220 
 
 "Welcum quhikkynnar of flurift flouris fchene, 
 Welcum fupport of euery rute and vane, 
 Welcum confort of al kind frute and grane, 
 Welcum the birdis beild apoun the brere, 
 Wekum maifter and reulare of the zere, 225 
 
 Welcum
 
 A Defcriptlon of May. 27 
 
 The fparrow chirps, the clefted walls among 5 
 To the fweet wildnefs of the linnet*s fong. 
 To the harfli cuckoo, and the twittering quail 
 Refoundsthe wood, the river, and the vale j 
 And tender twigs, all trembling on the trees, 215 
 Dance to the murmuring mufick of the bees. 
 Upfpring the airy larks, flirill-voic'd and loud. 
 And breathe their mattins from a morning cloud. 
 To greet glad Nature, and the God of Day, 
 And flowery Venus, blooming queen of May j 220 
 The fongs of praife their tuneful breafls employ. 
 Charm every ear, and rap the foul in joy. 
 Thus fung the fweet muficians on the fpray ; 
 
 Welcome, thou Lord of light, and lamp of day ; 
 Welcome to tender herbs, and myrtle bowers, 225 
 Welcome to plants, and odour breathing flowers-. 
 Welcome to every root upon the plain. 
 Welcome to gardens, and the golden grain : 
 Welcome to birds that build upon the breere. 
 Welcome, great Lord and Ruler of the year : 230 
 
 Welcome,
 
 2 8 A Difcription of May, 
 
 Welcum welefare of hufbandis at the plewis, 
 Welcum reparare of woddis, treis, and bewis, 
 Welcum depaynter of the blomyt medis, 
 Welcum the lyffe of euery thing that fpredis, 
 Welcum ftorare of all kynd beftial, 230 
 
 Welcum be thy bricht bemes gladand al.
 
 A Defcription of May. 13 
 
 Welcome, thou Source of univcrfal good, 
 Of buds to boughs, and beauty to the wood : 
 Welcome, bright Phoebus, whofe prolifick pow*r 
 In every meadow fpreads out every flow*r ; 
 Where-e'er thy beams in mild effulgence play, 23/; 
 Kind Nature fmiles, and all the world is gay. 
 
 G 
 
 A
 
 GLOSSARY. 
 
 yfBAK^ back, behind. 
 ■^^ Abulzeit, drefled, cloathed. 
 Affrayity afraid. 
 Akiiy Oaks. 
 Alsy as. 
 
 Amene, pleafant {^Lat. amcsnus] 
 AttaniSy at once. 
 Aw in, own. 
 
 Barmkin, Rampart, Fortification. 
 Batily thick, rank. 
 Bene, pleafant, from the Lat. Bonus, 
 Bere, Barley. 
 Bot, but. 
 
 Brade, broad. Brede, ibid. On hede, abroad. 
 Brerde, new fprung. 
 Bronys, Branches. i 
 Burgeouns, Buds, young fprigs. 
 BujiuouSj huge, fierce. 
 Byfprenty befprinkled. 
 
 G 2 CaUoury
 
 A GLOSSARY. 
 
 CaJloury frefh, cool. 
 
 Catduke^ the name of an Herb. 
 
 Cbefal, Chifel, or fliaped like a Chifel. 
 
 CloiSj Cloyfter, Lat. Claujlrum. 
 
 Crammefy, Crimfon, [Fr. Cramoiji] 
 
 Croude, to coo like a Dove. 
 
 Defoundandy pouring down, diffufing. 
 
 Days, Does. 
 
 EJk, each, alfo. 
 
 Emerant, green, verdant. 
 
 Enhrode, embroider'd. 
 
 Endlang, along. 
 
 Erdy the Earth. 
 
 Efchamet, alhamed. 
 
 Faky Turf. 
 
 Fauchy grey colour'd or rather reddilli, fallow. 
 
 Feneflerisy Windows, [L,2it. fenejlra.'] 
 
 Ferlie, to wonder. 
 
 Fleandy flying, fleeing. 
 
 FleiCy Flow, Product. 
 
 Fcrdynnandy ecchoeing, refounding. 
 
 Forgane, againft, alfo over againfl. 
 
 FnitliiouSy fruitful. 
 
 Fulzeisy Leaves, [Fr. Feuille. Lat. Folium.] 
 
 Galis, makes a noife like a cuckow. 
 
 Galzeardy cheerful, pretty. 
 
 Cetity genteel, fpruce. 
 
 Cers., Grafs. 
 
 Glave^ a Sword, [Fr. Glaive, Lat. Gladium.] 
 
 Gnyp,
 
 A GLOSSARY. 
 
 f 
 
 Gnyp^ to crop or browze. 
 
 Gowlis^ red. Gules from the Fr. 
 
 Granite fcarlet or crimfon. Granit violate, may fig- 
 
 nify that particular colour dyed in grain. 
 Gravis, Groves. 
 Gre, Degree, Gres, gray. 
 Grete, Sand, or Gravel in Rivers. 
 Grundin, grinded, fharpei.'d. 
 Hammys, a Collar for Horfes. 
 Hanf, to frequent, ufe. [Fr. Hanter.'] 
 Haw, blueifh, cerulean. 
 Hekkil, the Heckle, or Feathers on the Neck of a 
 
 Cock. 
 Hird, Shepherd. Ang. Sax. 
 Jlk, each. 
 
 Ifchit, ifiued, came out. 
 Kirnailis, Battlements, Parapets. 
 Kitillis, tickles, moves. 
 Kowfchot, a Ring-Dove, or wild Pigeon. 
 Kyth, to fhew, make appear. 
 Law, low. 
 Lets, to lofe Leefe, i Kings C. xviii. ver. 5. in the 
 
 fame fenfe. 
 Lemand, blazing, fliining. 
 Lefuris, Paftures, Glades. 
 Leyis, Leas, untill'd Ground. 
 Lochis, Lakes. 
 Lockkerraftd, curling. 
 Leuis, Praifc. 
 
 Liukif,
 
 -r^ GLOSSARY. 
 
 Loukit, locked up, enclofed. 
 
 Lcune^ calm. 
 
 Lyft, the Firmament, 
 
 Mavys, a Thrulh. 
 
 Ment, mixed, mingled together. 
 
 Merle, an Ouzle, Blackbird. [Lat. Merula} 
 
 Neifs thirlis, Noflrils. 
 
 Obumbrate, fhaded over. 
 
 OtUane, the Ocean. 
 
 Ouerfrett, overfpread, embellifli'd. 
 
 Ouerheidland, covering over. 
 
 Peirs, fky-colour'd. 
 
 Pete, a Clod, or Lump of Earth. 
 
 Phanis, not Fanes or Enftgns, (as the Glojfary inter- 
 prets it) but Appearance or Splendor, from the 
 Gr. ^xivw, oftendo, fplendeo. 
 
 Pbioll, a Cupola. 
 
 Plene, to complain. 
 
 Powne, a Peacock. 
 
 Pray, a Meadow. [Lat. Pralum] 
 
 Pylis, Hairs, or Tops of Grafs. 
 
 ^bn, who — ^haisy whofe. 
 
 ^ihile, a Wheel. 
 
 ^hip, a Whip. 
 
 Rais, Roes. 
 
 Rakis on raii\ march in order* 
 
 Redemyte, decked, beautiful. 
 
 Reirdit, refounded. 
 
 Rekifcband, mounting up. 
 
 Rin-
 
 :/^ G L O S S A R Y. 
 
 Rendryng^ refloring. 
 
 Rejpand, the luftling of Reeds. 
 
 Reffaue, to receive. 
 
 Revertis^ returns. 
 
 Revefting^ cloathing. 
 
 Ronnysy Brambles, Briars. 
 
 Rym^ the Circle of a Wheel 
 
 Ryfe, Bullrufhes, — may fignify Shrubs, Buflies. 
 
 Schaw, a Wood, Foreft, or Grove. 
 
 Schene, fliining. 
 
 Scherand, cleaving. 
 
 Schroudithy covers over. 
 
 Sege, Seat. [Yr.Siege.l 
 
 Selkouth, ftrange, uncommon. 
 
 Semelie, feemly. 
 
 Sence, Incenfe. 
 
 Sercy feveral. 
 
 Seye, Sea. 
 
 Slaky a Bottom, or Valley. 
 
 Soppisy Showers, Clouds. 
 
 Sore, forrel, chefnut. 
 
 Souch, to make a Noife. 
 
 Sprayngis, Rays, ftreakes of different Colours. 
 
 Sprinkilland, gliding fwiftly. 
 
 Stabyllii, fettled, calm'd. 
 
 Stanryis, the Shore. 
 
 Si ernes. Stars. 
 
 Steuynnis, Notes, Sounds. 
 
 Storarey Reftorer. 
 
 Slouii^
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 
 Kjctd uy(i^ 
 
 
 .xd 
 
 '"^ WR201971 
 
 
 ^PR2 8 1961 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 WflBlill 
 
 
 
 V1AIN LOAN 
 
 I r> i<i -.1- . ,,^, , , ,. . _ 
 
 
 rmL9-32m-8,'57(.C8680s4)444 
 
 Z/»^, young. 
 
 Ze;«»J, yonder, farther oft. 
 
 f I N J S, 
 
 LC3 ANGEL>VS
 
 faulora z^ 
 PAMPHLET BINDER
 
 - i