



be no wiser, I should see no change ; for 

 does it not already hold these vast dim 

 aisles and solitudes within its peaceful em- 

 pire ? And is there not here the slow 

 procession of birth, decay, and death, in 

 that sublime order of growth which we call 

 immortality ? 



I wait and watch, and I can wait forever 

 if need be. Suddenly from the depths of 

 the forest there comes a note of penetrating 

 sweetness, wild, magical, ethereal ; I slowly 

 raise myself and wait. Surely this is the 

 signal, and in a moment I shall see the dim 

 spaces between the trees peopled and ani- 

 mate. There is a moment's pause, and then 

 again that strange, mysterious song rings 

 through the listening forest. It touches me 

 like a sudden revelation ; I forget that for 

 which I have waited ; I only know that the 

 woods have found their voice, and that 

 I have fallen upon the sacred hour when 

 the song is a prayer. Who shall describe 

 that wild, strange music of the hermit- 

 thrush? Who will ever hear it in the 

 depths of the forest without a sudden thrill 

 95 







