More Beltane Inspired Poetry

Ecce Chorus Virginum

Here be maids dancing
in the spring days.
April light lancing
long level rays.

In this fair valley
fragrant and sweet
is a bright alley
with lilies deep
where the gay blackbird
pipes all day long
sweetness recordeth
the nightingale’s song.

Here come the virgins
flower garlanded.
But who shall sing then
that blaze of beauty,
love’s secret store?
Tales of old sorrow
grieve us no more.


Peace to your piping
with linden bought
at beauty’s altar
pay ye your vows.



(in the original Latin)

ecce chorus virginum
tempore vernali
dum solis incendium
radios equali

in hac valle florida
floreus flagratus
inter septa lilia
locus purpuratus
dum garritus merule
dulciter alludit
philomena carmine
dulcia concludit

acies virginea
redimita flore
quis enarret talia
quantoque decore
prenitent ad libitum
veneris occulta
dido necis meritum
proferat inulta

moderatur ordine
iubilo semoto
fronde pausa tilie
cypridis in voto