228 WOODLAND IDYLS. 



tree-elves, wood nymphs and the spirits of other 

 sprites of long ago. Great oaks like these were 

 most worthy to be the Gods of the Druids. As 

 much right to worship them had they as I the 

 sun. I revere or worship only that which 1 

 know exists *that which is the highest, most 

 powerful of all things known to me. Back of 

 or above the sun there may be somewhere but 

 where we know not, nor shall ever know a 

 power higher than the sun, master of him and 

 of all other suns the Overlord of all. Until I 

 know, which I shall never do, that there is such 

 an Overlord, until then I worship, if you may 

 call it worship, that highest power, that ruler 

 which my senses ken. 



Of a million men, one looks up into the sky 

 and wonders why it is there looks out into 

 space and ponders o'er the porch-lights of other 

 sun-ruled systems treads the earth and thinks 

 of her as a moving sphere ; the others look down 

 upon her streets and pathways seeking gold. 

 The earth itself they know not and of her varied 

 beauties their senses little knowledge gain. Here 

 beneath the oak trees this day am I because I 

 choose to be here. No mortal man or woman 

 hath said unto me here shalt thou this morn- 

 ing worship. Only the mother with her birds 

 and flowers and trees did beckon and her did I 

 obey. The wood thrush singing for me this in- 

 stant his morning anthem is more joy-giving 



