Matthew, I read your song, "The Pride of Llanfair." Good work!

Gervase, it's interesting to hear about your involvement. Makes me think more and more that I ought to visit Wales. But never be surprised about what you see on the Mudcat. We cover everything from astrophysics to flatulence. (but not me on the flatulence)

Here's an English translation of a Welsh poem by Dafydd ap Gwilym:

God knew that the beginning
of May's gentle growth was most timely.
Fresh stalks grew unstintingly
on the first day of the pure gentle month of May.

Trees with unwithered tops detained me,
it was the great Lord who provided May yesterday.
The darling of poets would not disappoint me,
May brought me the good life.

A fair handsome youth who gave me gifts,
May is an obliging generous nobleman.
He sent me true coinage,
the pure green slices of May's tender hazels,
florins of the treetops which would not vex me,
the fleur-de-lis riches of the month of May.

It kept me secure from treachery
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It's interesting to see what remains constant from the 14th century (joy at the coming of spring) and what is different (the metaphor that flowers are money).

I also was tickled to see that 'fleur-de-lis' remains constant in French, English and Welsh after all these centuries.