Spring's Welcome

What bird so sings, yet so does wail?

O 'tis the ravish'd nightingale.

Jug, jug, jug, jug, tereu!  she cries,

And still her woes at midnight rise.

Brave prick-song! Who is't now we hear?

None but the lark so shrill and clear;

Now at heaven's gate she claps her wings,

The morn not waking till she sings.

Hark, hark, with what a pretty throat

Poor robin redbreast tunes his note!

Hark how the jolly cuckoos sing

Cuckoo!  to welcome in the spring!

Cuckoo!  to welcome in the spring!

— John Lyly
1553-1606