White clouds and buds and birds and bees,

Low wind-notes, piped down southern seas,

Brought thee, a rose-white offering,

A flower-like baby with the spring.

She, with her April, gave to thee

A soul of winsome witchery;

Large, heavenly eyes and sparkling whence

Shines the young mind's soft influence;

Where love's eternal innocence,

And smiles and tears of maidenhood,

Gleam with the dreams of hope and good.

She, with the dower of her May

Gave thee a nature strong to sway

Man's higher feelings; and a pride

Where all pride's smallness is denied.

Limbs wrought of lilies; and a face

Made of a rose-bloom; and the grace

Of water, that thy limbs express

In each chaste billow of thy dress.