Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RATH, a. [Sax. rath, ræthe, hræth, hrathe, hræd or hrad, quick, hasty; Ir. ratham, to grow or be prosperous; from the same root as ready and rash, from the sense of shooting forward. See Ready.]

Early; coming before others, or before the usual time. Bring the rath primrose, that forsaken dies. – Milton.