256 ARBOR DA Y MANUAL. 



The boy went musing : What are these, that burst 

 The sod and grow, without the aid of man ? 



What father brought them food ? What mother nursed 

 Them in her earthly lodge, till Spring began ? 



They cannot speak ; they move but with the air ; 



Yet souls of evil or of good they bear. 



How are they made, that some with wholesome juice 



Delight the tongue, and some are charged with death ? 



If spirits them inhabit, they can loose 



Their shape sometimes, and talk with human breath ; 



Would that in dreams one such would come to me, 



And thence my teacher and my guardian be ! 

 ##.## * 



TAYLOR. 



THE OLD MAN'S COUNSEL. 



THE sun of May was bright in middle heaven, 

 And steeped the sprouting forests, the green hills, 

 And emerald wheat-fields, in his yellow light. 

 Upon the apple tree, where rosy buds 

 Stood clustered, ready to burst forth in bloom, 

 The robin warbled forth his full clear note 

 For hours, and wearied not. Within the woods, 

 Whose young and half transparent leaves scarce cast 

 A shade, gay circles of anemones 



Danced on their stalks; the shad-bush, white with flowers 

 Brightened the glens ; the new-leaved butternut 

 And quivering poplar to the roving breeze 

 Gave a balsamic fragrance. In the fields 

 I saw the pulses of the gentle wind 

 On the green grass. My heart was touched with joy 

 At so much beauty, flushing every hour 

 Into a fuller beauty. 



#*!<**#* 



'Well mayst thou join in gladness," he replied, 



"With the glad earth, her springing plants and flowers, 



And this soft wind, the herald of the green 



Luxuriant summer.'' * * * BRYANT. 



In heav'n the trees 



Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines 

 Yield nectar. MILTON. 



