The Cambridge Carol Book/When the earth, with spring returning

by Fulbert of Chartres

XLVIII. WHEN THE EARTH, WITH SPRING RETURNING

(Cum telluris vere novo)

1.When the earth, with Spring returning, vests herself in fresher sheen,
And the glades and leafy thickets are array'd in living green;
When a sweeter fragrance breatheth flow'ry fields and vales along,
Then, triumphant in her gladness, Philomel begins her song.

2.And with thick delicious warble far and wide her notes she flings,
Telling of the happy Spring-tide, and the joys that summer brings.
In the pauses of men's slumber deep and full she pours her voice:
In the labour of his travel bids the wayfarer rejoice.

3.Night and day, from bush and greenwood, sweeter than an earthly lyre,
She, unwearied songstress, carols, distancing the feath'red quire;
In her airy flight ascending to the summit of the tree,
Thence full fain she trills her mellow canticles of festal glee,

4.Fills the hill-side, fills the valley, bids the groves and thickets ring,
Made indeed exceeding glorious thro' the joyousness of Spring.
None could teach such heav'nly music, none implant such tuneful skill,

Save the King of realms celestial, who doth all things as He will.