The even mead, that erst brought sweetly forth
The freckled cowslip, burnet, and green clover,
Wanting the read more

The even mead, that erst brought sweetly forth
The freckled cowslip, burnet, and green clover,
Wanting the scythe, all uncorrected, rank,
Conceives by idleness, and nothing teems
But hateful docks, rough thistles, kecksies, burrs,
Losing both beauty and utility.

Yet soon fair Spring shall give another scene.
And yellow cowslips gild the level green.

Yet soon fair Spring shall give another scene.
And yellow cowslips gild the level green.

The cowslips tall her pensioners be.
In their gold coats spots you see:
Those be rubies, fairy read more

The cowslips tall her pensioners be.
In their gold coats spots you see:
Those be rubies, fairy favors;
In those freckles live their savors.

Through tall cowslips nodding near you,
Just to touch you as you pass.

Through tall cowslips nodding near you,
Just to touch you as you pass.

Smiled like yon knot of cowslips on a cliff.

Smiled like yon knot of cowslips on a cliff.

Thus I set my printless feet
O'er the cowslip's velvet head,
That bends not as I tread.

Thus I set my printless feet
O'er the cowslip's velvet head,
That bends not as I tread.

And wild-scatter'd cowslips bedeck the green dale.

And wild-scatter'd cowslips bedeck the green dale.

And by the meadow-trenches blow the faint sweet cuckoo-flowers.

And by the meadow-trenches blow the faint sweet cuckoo-flowers.

Ilk cowslip cup shall kep a tear.

Ilk cowslip cup shall kep a tear.