Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1897-05-06
MAY DAY.
Daily Argus. May /.

This is the first day Of May, or
"May Day." in poetic and his
toric lore. The observance of
this day is said to have originated
with the ancient Romans and to
have been at its height in Great
Britain over two hundred years
ago.
Fan be it from US to attempt to
contradict the statements of the
historic page; it wouldn't be US
that would aim to cast the shadow
of doubt or suspicion upon the
authenticity of the assertions that
are made on Clos scroll. Con
sequently, when anything is said
to have occurred 200 years ago
and to have originated with the
ancient Romans, we let it go at
that, eheerfully and willingly, and
stand by the record! But we di~
gross. The annual return of May
Day was an event of inestimable
Importance to the ancients, and 1t
was observed with all kinds of
games and amusements. among
which dancing around the May
pole was conspicuous; and this
feature of the day has been
handed down to comparatively
modern times. A loug pole
was selected, gaily deco
rated with garlands, as all who
are versed in May Day lore are
aware, and around this the happy
hearted villagers tripped the ira
la la. 1t must have been tame
sport-it would be very mild rec
reation in this age-but it came up
to the villagers primitive ideas of
enjoyment, we suppose, and that
was all that was necessary.
Out of the rose bud garden
Of village girls one YVES always
selected to figure as Queen OF
the May" The fairest flower was
always chosen for this purpose,
Or the one universally considered
as such, and as she sat in all her
girlish beauty, reigning queen OF
the ceremonies. with her head
encircled by a floral crown, ev
cry body knows how all the rest
of the girls must have felt. The
tendency of this custom was
doubtless to make the fortunate
damsel chosen, think herself
Queen of the May the whole
year round!
In England it was customary
for all-high ana low-evcn the
Court itself, to go out early May
Day morning, and fetch the
flowers fresh" May poles were
common in England, France and
Germany. The Puritans had
them all done away with in Eng
land. but they were revived
again after the Restoration. The
beautiful custom of changing
May baskets" was in vogue in
New England Of recent years,
and may still be a May Day OBJ
servance there.
The general celebration of the
day, though, has been numbered
with obsolete customs, but its
association with ages agone rem
ders the revival of memories and
historic facts concerning it pleas
antly suggestive. and Tennyson
has embalmed it for the part it
played il Old England's early
civilization in his familiar poem
You must wake and call me early,
Cali me early, mother. dear;
To-morrow'll be the hapIiest time
Of all the glad New Year:
OF all the glad New Year, mother,
The maddest, merriest day;
For I'm to be Queen O. the May, moth
er,
I'm to be Queen o. the May.
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