The laggard year is now at prime br And primrose-time is daffodil-time; br Where do the boys delay? What tether br Hinders them from the heavenly weather, br From violet-time and cowslip-time? br br Why do they keep the house so late? br The sweet o' the year is at the gate, br And hear the cuckoo calling, saying: br Up, slug-a-bed! 'Tis time for Maying! br The cuckoo calling early and late. br br They have stolen away before the dawn, br No print in the May-dew on the lawn br Betrays the way their light feet taking br Set not the quaking grass to shaking, br Running so light-foot in the dawn. br br The primrose and the daffodil weather br Is here, and cowslips troop together; br The lambs frolic in pastures gold, br But since they come not it is cold. br Cold the primrose and daffodil weather.