Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.

Song, Inviting the Influence of a Young Lady upon the Opening Year

Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953)

YOU wear the morning like your dress

And are with mastery crown’d;

When as you walk your loveliness

Goes shining all around:

Upon your secret, smiling way

Such new contents were found,

The Dancing Loves made holiday

On that delightful ground.

Then summon April forth, and send

Commandment through the flowers;

About our woods your grace extend,

A queen of careless hours.

For O! not Vera veil’d in rain,

Nor Dian’s sacred Ring,

With all her royal nymphs in train

Could so lead on the Spring.