New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-01
QUEEN OF THE MAY.
YOU MUST WAKE AND CALL Me EARLY.
CALL ME EARLY. MOTHER DEAR
THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH. WITH IT'S MANY
CELEBRATIONS OLD AND MoDERN-A GEN

THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH. WITH IT'S MANY
CELEBRATIONS OLD AND MoDERN-A GEN
ERAL MOVING TINE FOR CITY LIFE.
once upon a time" in 'Merre England" there
was an ancient and much-loved custom OF rising
with the dawn and going out "a-Maying on the
first day OF May. Mobiles and peasants. old and
young. men, women and children. gathered branches
of shrubs and Towering plants with which 70 deco
rate their persons; then they sang and Iaughed
and danced through the smiling green WOODS ana
meadows, and gave themselves up to the happy &C.
cupation Of welcoming the birth OF spring for
merry children and ligh;-hearted young lovers
Maypoe was erected, gayly decked win "rea'hs
OF flowers and bright-coored ribbons. and careless
young feet tripped joyously about II. singing nap
PLY they danced Spring was supposed W "i
rive in all her blossoming beauty on the hrst Day
of My and the English custom OF celebrating her
advent seems TO have been taken from the Romans'
who were accustomed to Offer sacrihces on thal
day. They also celebrated their superstition known
as the Lemuria on the first OF May. which ac-
counted for their saying that it was unlucKy 70 Do
married during the sacrihcial month queen Eliza
beth and her Court used TO celebrate May LAY
games at Greenwich. and the professions ana les
tivities generally sanctioned by the presence
OF the priests One of the fayorite ways OF ce!e-
brating the day to choose pretty pushi's
maiden and crown her Queen OF the May "hlie
She assembled about her gay ana mimic court
and ruled her smiling subjects by her own VIII
some, 1ower-crownod giriishness. one or lehhS
sons bes-known lyrics tells the story oil May lay
when the heart of the happy litte maid sings g"!
ly: You must wake and call me early can nc
early mother dear
The last Maypole erected in London was 100 rect
HIGH and stood near Somerset House IN TIC
strand 1t was taken down in Ill and sent 10
Wanstcad Park in Essex. where Sir Isaac Newton
used il as a support 10 a large telescope ne MA
there. - -..o.o,,od thn
OF course the May Queen always Represented tlc ne
Goddess Flora and the farcSt ana s"cetcs'
maiden mus, be chosen tor radiant Flora cou,.c. ~.
felt the happy Queen considered hcrSeH d WI
fortunate parsonage. In the South Whcrc Sli ne -
well advanced 10y May ], ana the udi q go
and sunny chronicles of one OF the loNcllcSt SEA
sons of the year the day is frequently given az q
holiday 10 the school children. ana ol'en tle . en- y
school teachers and all, go out TO the Io"ei 49,
woods and inaugurae the first picnic OF te
And truly the fields and woods and meadows arr
perfect poems in early spring. Nature seems Il
smiling infant her baby clothes emDr Query ~
fairy buds and blossoms, and gay Win MAY ,
finest ard daintiest frils The SHINING TCYIahvs
streams sing her the softest and sweetest iuao! 3;
and the sunbcams nestle lovingly up 10 nei anu
steal n world of kisses from her Winsoihe pap!
beauty II is a wonderful thing TO see ner grow
Of her baby wichery INTO me ricnSi nodda:e
of June. when she becomes VerltaDle spuues9'
ruling in splendor throughout her loyal worlu. 8,
But one must call up great IMAGINATION "iIei ~
comes 10 discussing May Day in the CITY, Dr!rh
and stone arc in evidence there, IN place Oh owc
and shrubs and grass, and the blue SKY seei"s Il
far-awav dream of living color. .,,
Bur the first Of May has come, ana a pr dc d.
and prosaic side has be confronted. Tor IL Is q
migratory period in this Part OF the couitry, b S
one gathers his household Lares and Penates ABOUT
him and.rits off pastures new. The NOISE OF inc
furniture van is heard In the land and soon man
old familiar haunts will know him no more