WINTR Y DA YS 273 



even the dense array that held the wide vale is 

 shattered. Field after field, wood beyond wood, 

 are captured by the dazzling weapons of the sun : 

 the mob of mists is driven from its most secure 

 retreats, the waterfalls and shady dells, and 

 hastens across the sky and into the dark distance 

 of the horizon. 



Now the lowliest sun-worshippers appear from 

 arboreal retreats and mural crevices. Throughout 

 every warm day, in winter as well as in summer, 

 animals may be seen which appear to rejoice in 

 sunlight as though they actually fed on warmth. 

 And when we remember the things of summer 

 that have the same joy the singing bird, basking 

 lizard, and hovering fly it is not strange that 

 these winter creatures should love the sun the 

 god of the day, which primeval man worshipped ; 

 the unchanging fire, lord of the elements, judge of 

 the clouds, illuminator of dark places, whose swift 

 messengers crown the brief waves with gold, and 

 with a touch paint all the countryside in lovely 

 hues. No wonder that the trees spread their 

 young leaves, like hands, towards him, or that 

 numberless blossoms follow with upturned faces 

 19 



