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It hangs by the mistletoed mantel
'Mid the holly's scarlet glow
Brimming with costly tokens—
And a big check down in the toe!


MAY-DAY
1.

(As poets see it.)

FAR reaches of blue sky that seem
A sea without a curbing shore
Or billow's dip; a white cloud-ship
That sails and sails forevermore
To the port of a golden dream.
A world that holds nor pain nor care;
Blossoms and sunshine everywhere.
Children in happy cavalcade,
Laughter and song, not a breath too long,
And a queen in her beauty arrayed.

II.

(As it really is.)

Gray clouds that form a soggy mass
That drips and ne'er is dry;
No voice that sings, but a wind that stings,
A tired and shivering company
Wishing the hours would pass.

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