To Crown the Queen of May (Thomas H. Cosgrove)

   We hunted through the mountains 

The meadows and the town 

To find some shining jewels 

To make our queen a crown. 

                                    

We dug the earth for diamonds 

And polished them with care; 

But vanquished was their lustre 

When laid within in her hair. 

                                    

The seven seas we sounded, 

And strained the densest sands 

To find a pearl to rival 

The whiteness of her hands. 

                                    

The glowing gold was blackened 

When brought before her feet 

And silver in her shadow 

Was sordid as the street. 

                                    

The emeralds lost their greenness 

Like plants that know not rains. 

And rubies paled like warriors 

Who fall with bursting veins. 

                                    

‘Twas then that we remembered 

How men were once in awe 

To see a babe of beauty, 

Whose jewels were some straw. 

                                    

So we went and robbed a manger, 

And crowned the Queen of May 

With a wreath that we had woven 
            From homely strands of hay. 

Image source:  Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Mill Valley

Poem source