392 DECEMBER. 



ing their loud notes to chirping ; the cataracts 

 roared, and every linden tree whistled and bray- 

 ed to the sounding of the wind. The poor la- 

 bourers, wet and weary, draggled in the fen. 

 The sheep and shepherds lurked under the 

 hanging banks, or wild broom. Warm from 

 the chimney -side, and refreshed with generous 

 cheer, I stole to my bed, and laid down to 

 sleep, when I saw the moon shed through the 

 window her twinkling glances, and wintry 

 light ; I heard the horned bird, the night-owl, 

 shrieking horribly with crooked bill from her 

 cavern ; I heard the wild geese with screaming 

 cries, fly over the city through the silent night. 

 I was soon lulled to sleep, till the cock, clap- 

 ping his wings, crowed thrice, and the day 

 peeped. I waked, and saw the moon disappear, 

 and heard the jackdaws cackle on the roof of 

 the house. The cranes prognosticating tem- 

 pests, in a firm phalanx, pierced the air with 

 voices sounding like a trumpet. The kite, 

 perched on an old tree, fast by my chamber, 

 cried lamentably, a sign of the dawning day. 

 I rose, and half opening my window, perceived 

 the morning, livid, wan, and hoary ; the air 

 overwhelmed with vapour and cloud ; the 

 ground stiff, grey, and rough; the branches 



