132 FLOWERS OF THE FIELD AND FOREST. 



cal law by which all these observations are to be explained 

 and classified, the law of extreme and mean ratio, as it is 

 called ; that is, the dividing a thing into two parts, in such a 

 way that the smaller part shall be to the larger as the larger is 

 to the whole. 



In dismissing our lovely flower and the lesson of celestial 

 mechanics to which it has led us, we will pause a moment to 

 catch the song of another poet who has heard the voice of the 



forest trees. 



Pine in the distance, 

 Patient through sun and rain, 

 Meeting with graceful persistence, 

 The north wind's wrench and strain, 

 No memory of past existence 



Brings thee pain; 

 Right for the zenith heading, 

 Friendly with heat and cold, 

 Thine arms to the infinite spreading 

 Of the heavens, just from of old, 

 Thou only aspirest the more, 

 Unregretful the old leaves shedding 

 That fringed thee with music before, 

 And deeper thy roots embedding 

 In the grace and the beauty of yore; 



Thou sighest not " Alas, I am older, 

 The green of last summer is sear!" 

 But loftier, hopefuller, bolder, 

 Wins broader horizons each year. 



Lowell- 



