AUGUST 



AY O U N G Man of fierce and Cholerick aspect, 

 in a Flame-coloured Garment; upon his Head 

 a garland of Wheat and Rye, upon his Arm a Basket of 

 all manner of ripe Fruits, at his belt a Sickle, His Sign 

 Virgo. 



MATINS AND EVENSONG 



AFTER a tropical day and night, with no healing " cool 

 of the evening," a perfect hour comes at 

 Cool of the last with cockcrow. The light is quiet and 

 Morning grey at the opening of this ritual, and the 

 cool air vibrates with melody. Robin is the 

 first singer to rival the hedge-cricket; his warble sug- 

 gests an Autumn morning. A thrush utters a few phrases 

 next, and then loud and clear rings out the wren's 

 morning hymn, every note true, the trill perfect; at 

 intervals of a few seconds, he sings his hymn ten times. 

 Rooks drift over the fields, to settle in an elm, there to 

 caw forth their grace before breakfast. At an immense 



