MEADOW SAFFRON. 3 



tongue, that drooped its glossy leaves upon 

 the waters. Among these streamlets, there 

 was one in which I especially delighted. It 

 gushed from out two hollow spouts, that 

 projected from a walled bank, grey with 

 lichens, and dotted over with such plants as 

 love both shade and moisture. A cross once 

 stood there, and beneath it an iron cup was 

 chained to a cramp in the old wall, that 

 thirsty men might drink and be refreshed ; 

 while, beneath the cross and cup, a huge 

 stone cistern had been hollowed out to re- 

 ceive the confluent waters of the fountain, 

 and thus an ample supply was always ready, 

 even in the hottest summer months, for the 

 sheep and cattle that resorted thither. This 

 fountain was called Holy-well by the coun- 

 try people, because a monastery had been 

 contiguous. Few resorted thither, for the 

 place was not very easy of access, but he 

 who liked to scramble down the stony bank 



