122 NATURE STUDY. 



MY TENANTS. 



I never had a title-deed 



To my estate. But little heed 



Eyes give to me, when I walk by 



My fields, to see who occupy. 



Some clumsy men who lease and hire 



And cut my trees to feed their fire, 



Own all the land that I possess, 



And tax my tenants to distress. 



And if I said I had been first, 



And, reaping, left for them the worst, 



That they were beggars at the hands 



Of dwellers on my royal lands, 



With idle laugh of passing scorn 



As unto words of madness born, 



They would reply. 



I do not care ; 



They cannot crowd the charmed air ; 

 They cannot touch the bonds I hold 

 On all that they have bought and sold. 

 They can waylay my faithful bees, 

 Who, lulled to sleep, with fatal ease, 

 Are robbed. Is one day's honey sweet 

 Thus snatched? All summer round my feet 

 In golden drifts from plumy wings, 

 In shining drops on fragrant things, 

 Free gift, it came to me. My corn, 

 With burnished banners, morn by morn, 

 Comes out to meet and honor me ; 

 The glittering ranks spread royally 

 Far as I walk. When hasty greed 

 Tramples it down for food and seed, 

 I, with a certain veiled delight, 

 Hear half the crop is lost by blight. 



Letter of law these may fulfil, 

 Plant where they like, slay what they will, 

 Count up their gains and make them great, 

 Nevertheless, the whole estate 



