Page:The Romance of Nature; or, The Flower-Seasons Illustrated.djvu/224

126 Herrick, in his "Succession of the four sweete monthes," well expresses the progressive increase of the earth's floral wealth, and, much and beautifully as he lauds the Spring-time in several of his poems, yields the palm to Midsummer and July.

In the following "most ancient song in the English language," written about the year 1250, in praise of Summer, Spring seems to be the season celebrated, from the allusions used, such as "springeth the wood new," and the mention of the cuckoo, whose song, or rather cry, becomes far from merry towards the Midsummer months.