32 SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



The lightest breeze, though it stir no other leaf of the 

 forest, will set the Aspen tree in busy motion : 



" And the wind, full of wantonness, woos like a lover 

 The young Aspen trees, till they tremble all over." 



T. MOORE. 



Thomson says, in describing 



" A perfect calm ; that not a breath 



Is heard to quiver through the closing woods, 

 Or rustling turn the many-twinkling leaves 

 Of Aspen tall." 



It may one day be discovered by some poetic wood- 

 man that the Aspen was formerly a beautiful, or an un- 

 fortunate nymph ; perhaps the most timid of the sisters 

 of Phaeton ; for trees of such origin are, it is said, apt to 

 tremble when any one approaches them. 



" Long time they thus together travelled, 



Till, weary of their way, they came at last 

 Where grew two goodly trees, that fair did spred 



Their arms abroad, with gray moss overcast ; 

 And their green leaves, trembling with every blast, 



Made a calm shadow far in compass round : 

 The fearful shepherd often there aghast 



Under them never sate, ne wont there sound 

 His merry oten pipe, but shunn'd the unlucky ground. 



" But this good knight, soon as he them 'gan spy, 



For the cool shade him thither hast'ly got ; 

 For golden Phoebus now, that mounted high, 



From fiery wheels of his fair chariot 

 Hurled his beam, so scorching cruel hot, 

 That living creature mote it not abide ; 

 And his new lady it endured not. 



There they alight, in hope themselves to hide 

 From the fierce heat, and rest their weary limbs a tide 



