When I read that today was the first day of the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floralia]Floralia [/url] I was whisked back in time to my days in the School choir, trilling Shadwell’s “Nymphs and Shepherds” to Purcell. Oh, happy days. I’ve made a bold attempt today but I can’t get those high notes any longer.
[i]Nymphs and shepherds, come away.
In the groves let’s sport and play,
For this is Flora’s holiday,
Sacred to ease and happy love,
To dancing, to music and to poetry;
Your flocks may now securely rove
Whilst you express your jollity.
Nymphs and shepherds, come away.[/i]
So, back to my bunch of freesias today.