Ralph Waldo Emerson his book, May Day, to Sophie Thoreau
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
On May 1, 1867, Ralph Waldo Emerson inscribed a copy of his book, May Day, to Sophie Thoreau, the devoted sister of Henry David Thoreau.
May Day is a collection of Emerson's writing and poems and includes the line, "Why chidest thou the tardy spring?" from his May Day poem.
Why chidest thou the tardy Spring?
The hardy bunting does not chide;
The blackbirds make the maples ring
With social cheer and jubilee;
The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee,
The robins know the melting snow;
The sparrow meek, prophetic-eyed,
Her nest beside the snow-drift weaves,
Secure the osier yet will hide
Her callow brood in mantling leaves;
And thou, by science all undone,
Why only must thy reason fail
To see the southing of the sun?
In other words, why be upset that spring is late?
Spring has everything in hand, so don't be angry about nature's timing.
A library first shared this inscription with Ralph Waldo Emerson's beautiful handwriting.
About a decade after receiving the book, Sophie gifted the book to her friend Mabel Loomis and inscribed the transfer in the book.
If you're looking for a sentimental month of May gift or have a May birthday and want to give something unique, look for an old copy of May Day by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
It's a beautiful gift.
