Milton’s song is a delighted welcome to the first of May. The speaker watches dawn break and imagines the morning star not just rising, but dancing from the east, pulling the spring itself along like a joyful companion. This flowery May figure scatters cowslips and primroses from her lap as she moves, turning the world bright. The feeling is one of pure, fresh excitement — the kind that arrives with early sunlight and the sudden appearance of blossoms.
The second half becomes a direct toast to May itself, praising its power to stir up happiness, youthful energy, and even romantic longing. Everything feels dressed in new greenery, from the woods to the hills, as if the landscape is showing off a blessing. The poem ends with a simple, earnest salute, welcoming the season and hoping it will stay a while. The whole thing moves with a light, skipping rhythm that matches its mood: uncomplicated, grateful, and ready for life.