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Herrick, in his "Succession of the four sweete monthes," well expresses the progressive increase of the earth's floral wealth, and, much and beautifully as he lauds the Spring-time in several of his poems, yields the palm to Midsummer and July.
First April, she with mellow showres
Opens the way for early flowres;
Then after her comes smiling May,
In a more rich and sweet array;
Next enters June, and brings us more
Gems than those two that went before;
Lastly, July comes, and she
More wealth brings in than all those three.
In the following "most ancient song in the English language," written about the year 1250, in praise of Summer, Spring seems to be the season celebrated, from the allusions used, such as "springeth the wood new," and the mention of the cuckoo, whose song, or rather cry, becomes far from merry towards the Midsummer months.
Sumer is icumen in;
Lhude sing cuccu;
Groweth sed and bloweth med,
And springeth the wde nu.
Sing cuccu.
Awe bleteth after lomb;
Lhouth after calve cu;
Merrie sing cuccu,
Cuccu, cuccu;
Wel singes thou cuccu,
Ne swik thee nauer.
