New-York tribune., 1867-05-02
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
ENrPcON'S MAY-DAY.

MAYpAY AND OTHER PIECES. BY R@4lIn @ WALDO
EMERSON 121lo pp. 2O5 1fhhuI =" hHi"a'
The union of a complete aud admirable intellect
nal culture with q rare endowment Of poetic lnsplra-
&ion which has given Mr.. Emerson such a cOnspcu-
ans rank among living writer's is everywhere eXhlD-
Md IN the contents of this volume. lnspte OF the
freouent occurrence Of a vein of mysticism winch
Laves the expression of his meaning imperfect OF d"
Mast indstnct to the majority OF readers, IN spite Vi
abrpt and harsh lines and sentences which Oitenei'o
m air of LONELINESS, almost of uncouthhess' " "i7
aictOn no one fail 10 recognize the genuine
Of poetry whichpervades his productloIt anu "
places him for originality and strength WIN ~"
reers among the writers of the day. Inc poem.
issued which form such an important "uui'ioi ~
,armanent works of the author betray his
80 symnatbv with nature in her manlloid Phases
ng heautv and power his wide ana exact hlio"I'us0
f physical facts his familiarity WIN 'ne Piosi'''
af science his penetration with the cholceho ho'aS
AZ literature curiously blended with the subtle thmk-
s.o,,d ,,editatiye wisdom which impaTt such rich
and substantial vitality TO his verse He is alike the
roet of nature and the poet Of contemplation. Not
an inspect of the wonderful procession of human
existence escapes his searching glance not secret
charm of the visible universe but has been revealed
to his constant eye. Never at home on the surface
sf things he allures the mysteries OF the soul from
their hidden depths and disclOses new gOTes in the
sldhabiual ways of the woods, the waters, and the
skies Tn the loftiest fights of his imagination, he
never loses his hold on the solid earth; even when
he is Obscure it is not from want of meaning but
from neness of suggeshOn his intense sense OF per-
sonaty, which sometimes approaches the borders OF
isolation and brings chill over the atmosphere is
relieved by rare >fund of human sympatbes; and
even in his lOneliest and least genial moments, he
appeals to the experience of his kind which he never
fails to widen andfenrich.
xvbi no pN-Olum name
devoted to the celebration of favOrite theme with
the poets but Mr. Emerson shows by his own eX-
ample that they have by means exhausted Its fer
tilty and significance He commences with sweet
musical call for serenity and faith in the eternal
round of all bounteOus nature
Why ehidest thou the tardy springi
The hardy bunting does not chlde;
The backbirds make the NAPLES ring
With social cheer and jubilee;
The redwing flutes his O-k0iee,
The robins knew the melting snow;
The sparrOw, meek tb pT0phseIif,eysd, erif, ySaves
Secure the Osleryet Will hide
Her callow brood IN mantling leaves;
And thou, by science all undone,
Why only mustthy reason fail
To see the southing OF the SUM-
Aswe thaw frozen flesh with snow,
SO Spring will not, foolish fond,
Mix polar night viii trope glow,
Nor cloy with unshaded sun.
Nor wantOn skip with baeehic dance,
But she has the temperance
OF the gods, whereof she is One,-
Masks her treasury of heat
Plants and birds and humble creatures
Well accept her rule austere;
an-bOrn, TO hardy natures
Cold is genial and dear.
As Southern wrath to Northern night
Is but straw TO aBthTaCte
As in the day of sacrifice,
when heroes piled the pyre,
Tho dismal Massachusetts ice
Burned than others fire,
SO Spring guards with surface cold
The garner6d heat of ages old:
Hers TO SOW the seed of bread,
That man and all the kinds be fed;
AndxIghen the sunlight fills the hours,
Diss6ves the crust, displays the flowers.
The world rolls rOund,-mistrust it not
Befals again what once befel;
All things return both sphere and mote,
And shaH hear my bluebird's note,
Aud dream the dream Of Auburn dell.