The Birds of Shakespeare 
And turn his merry note 
Unto the sweet bird’s throat, 
Come hither, come hither, come hither. 
Here shall he see 
No enemy 
But winter and rough weather. 
And in nearly the last strains that reach 
us before the drama closes, the carol of 
the birds comes in again : 
In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, 
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding : 
Sweet lovers love the spring.” 
It will be remembered that the con- 
templation of the woodland peace and 
happiness of the Forest of Arden inspired 
the poet with one of the most pregnant 
passages to be found in his works. Though 
the quotation has become rather hackneyed 
from constant use, it deserves to be 
treasured in the heart of everyone to whom 
the study of Nature is dear : 
And this our life, exempt from public haunt, 
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, 
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.° 
dar. Vv... 2M iil, 17; i a ate a 
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