140 THE FEATHERED TRIBES. 



When the verdure of summer is mellowing into the deeper tints of autumn, when the 

 golden sheaves are safely lodged in the barn or the stack, and when the frosty nights and 

 misty mornings show that the evening of the year has como on, the swallows prepare foi- 

 their departure to more genial climes. At length, directed by that unerring instinct 

 which the Almighty has implanted within them, thej' take their trackless way. And 

 as we \'iew them congregating together, and marshalling their hosts for flight, we 

 may say : — 



'• Then, where more bahny winters smile, 

 Speed thee to blest Hesperian isle, 

 Lybia's warm shores, or palmy Nile, 



On wings of wind : 

 Taught by His voice, who bids thee know 

 Thy season, when to eome and go, 

 To seek our genial skies, or thi'ow 

 Om- storms behind. 



" Farewell, sweet bii-d ! thou still hast been 

 Companion of om' summer scene. 

 Loved inmate of our meadows green. 



And rural home : 

 The twitter of thy cheerful song, 

 We've loved to hear ; and all day long 

 See thee on pinion, fleet and strong 



About us roam. 



" And dost thou no wise love impart ? 

 Yes, still thou bidd'st us act our part 

 With body prompt and willing heart, 

 AVhile summer lasts : 

 • Prepared the com'se to take, that He 

 For us appoints, who summons thee 

 To climes of grateful warmth to flee 

 From wintry blasts." 



