12.

And soon as I a glimpse of day espied, No longer would I in my bed abide, But straightway to a wood, that was hard by, Forth did I go, alone and fearlessly, And held the pathway down by a brook-side;

13.

Till to a lawn I came all white and green, I in so fair a one had never been. The ground was green, with daisy powdered over; Tall were the flowers, the grove a lofty cover, All green and white; and nothing else was seen.

14.

There sate I down among the fresh fair flowers, And saw the birds come tripping from their bowers, Where they had rested them all night; and they, Who were so joyful at the light of day, Began to honour May with all their powers.

15.

Well did they know that service all by rote, And there was many and many a lovely note; Some singing loud, as if they had complained; Some with their notes another manner feigned; And some did sing all out with the full throat.

16.

They pruned themselves, and made themselves right gay, Dancing and leaping light upon the spray; And ever two and two together were, The same as they had chosen for the year, Upon Saint Valentine’s returning day.

17.

Meanwhile the stream, whose bank I sate upon, Was making such a noise as it ran on Accordant to the sweet birds’ harmony; Methought that it was the best melody Which ever to man’s ear a passage won.

18.

And for delight, but how I never wot, I in a slumber and a swoon was caught, Not all asleep, and yet not waking wholly; And as I lay, the Cuckoo bird unholy Broke silence, or I heard him in my thought.

19.

And that was right upon a tree fast by, And who was then ill-satisfied but I? “Now, God,” quoth I, “that died upon the rood, From thee and thy base throat, keep all that’s good, Full little joy have I now of thy cry.”

20.

And, as I with the Cuckoo thus ’gan chide, In the next bush that was me fast beside, I heard the lusty Nightingale so sing, That her clear voice made a loud rioting, Echoing thorough all the green wood 

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