VAN CLEVE NA T URE'S TUDYAND THE RE A DING I^SSON 265 



The poets mix fact and fancy in their poems. Why cannot we 

 get both fact and fancy from them and enjoy both? 



That there is accurate portrayal of nature in much great poetry 

 is known to all persons who are reasonably well acquainted with 

 nature and with English poetry. Here are a few illustrations 

 which could be multiplied many times from the writings of each 

 author. Scrutinize them and see if they are not good science as 

 well as good poetry. 



Shakespeare : 

 "The busy day, wak'd by the lark, 

 Hath roused the ribald crows." 



"What, is the jay more precious than the lark 

 Because his feathers are more beautiful?" 



Milton: 

 "Moim tains on whose barren breast 

 The laboring clouds do often rest." 



Tennyson : 

 "A million emeralds burst from the rub3^-budded lime 



(linden)" 

 "More black than ash buds in the front of March." 



Shelley: Read the "Cloud" and. see how much scientific 

 truth there is there clothed in poetic language. One 

 could almost use it in a class in meteorology. 



Wordsworth and Bryant: Read almost anywhere. 



• Lowell: Here is a description of spring from "Sutithin' In 

 The Pastoral Line:" 



"First come the blackbirds clatterin' in tall trees 



And settlin' things in windy congresses. 



Fore long the trees begin to show beHef; 



The maple crimsons to a coral reef, 



Then saffron swarms swing off from all the willers, 



So plimip they look like yaller caterpillers ; 



Then gray hoss chestnuts leettle hands unfold 



Softer'n a baby's be at three days old. 



Bloodroots whose rolled up leaves if you oncurl, 



Each on 'em's cradle to a baby pearl." 



