IN PRAISE OF BOTH. 215 



and cast flying- shadows on the uplands, where 

 nothine breaks the silence of the hills but the son<^ 

 in the air, the tinkle of the sheep-bells, and the 

 murmur of the moorland bee. 



And the upshot of the matter is this. The 

 master-things for the enjoyment of life are : health, 

 a balanced mind that will not churlishly refuse 

 " God's plenty," an eye quick to discern the marvel of 

 beautiful things, a heart in sympathy with man and 

 beast. Possessing these we may defy Fortune — 



" I care not. Fortune, what you me deny : 

 You cannot rob me of free Nature's grace, 

 You cannot shut the windows of the sky 

 Through which Aurora shows her brightening face ; 

 You cannot bar my constant feet to trace 

 The woods and lawns, by living stream, at e\e : 

 Let health my nerves and finer fibres brace. 

 And I their toys to the great children leave ; 

 Of fancy, reason, virtue, nought can me bereave." 



