The cowslip is a country wench.

The cowslip is a country wench.

Smiled like yon knot of cowslips on a cliff.

Smiled like yon knot of cowslips on a cliff.

Ilk cowslip cup shall kep a tear.

Ilk cowslip cup shall kep a tear.

The nesh yonge coweslip bendethe wyth the dewe.

The nesh yonge coweslip bendethe wyth the dewe.

The first wan cowslip, wet
With tears of the first morn.

The first wan cowslip, wet
With tears of the first morn.

And ye talk together still,
In the language wherewith Spring
Letters cowslips on the hill.

And ye talk together still,
In the language wherewith Spring
Letters cowslips on the hill.

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.

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

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