304 HISTORY or BRITISH MOSSES. 



These are new tenants of the hill and dale, 



The roelv, the woodland, and the flowing stream, 

 "Whose glossy branches now alone avail 



To catch the wintry noonday's dnsky beam. 

 And from desponding fears our hopes again redeem. 



IV. 



"We speak not now of glossy frond of Fern, 



Standing erect amid the prostrate race ; 

 Of lurid Fungus, or of cup-shaped urn 



Of hoary Lichen, whose broad shields now grace 

 The rocks and stones and trees with varied band ; 



Forming the nucleus of a nobler birth. 

 Cradled in storms, and nurtured by the hand 



That clothes with varied forms the face of earth. 

 And fills creation's fields with joy and mirth. 



V. 



"Where'er our devious path we now may turn. 



To copse or meadow, vale or mountain grey ; 

 To massive rocks, whose fronts o'ershadc the "burn," 



Hurrying its eddying waters to display 

 The foaming waterfall, a race is seen 



Of verdant Mosses glistening in the light, 

 And decking with their emerald fronds the scene, 



"U'here lately, " peopled with creation bright," 

 The many-tinted landscape met the observer's sight. 



YI. 



Of these the Feather holds the foremost rank. 

 Rivalling the Cypress, Fern, and Ostrich Plume, 



Glistening by woodland path, or on the bank, 

 Now stript entire of spring and summer bloom ; 



