Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Five Flower Songs Op. 47

2. The Succession of the Four Sweet Months

Robert Herrick

First, April, she with mellow showers
Opens the way for early flowers;
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;
Then, lastly, July comes, and she
More wealth brings in than all those three.