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He had caught the nodding bullrush tops, 



And hung them thickly with diamond drops, 



That crystalled the beams of moon and sun, 



And made a star of every one. 



No mortal builder's rare device 



Could match this winter palace of ice." 



LOWELL : Vision of Sir Launfal. 



Jack Frost breathes on trees and flowers, and bids them 

 " lie down to sleep." Their work is done. They need 

 rest, to prepare for the larger, more beautiful life of the 

 spring. Only to the tardy ones, who have delayed their 

 work, or to the plant-lives whom man has brought from 

 the lands where Nature uses gentler messengers, does 

 he sometimes come with a " fearful breath." He some- 

 times " smites the leaves," but not until their work on 

 the tree is done, and another work calls them to the ground. 

 To the tree they might bring harm, by catching the winds, 

 and holding up the " cold burdens " of winter. To Mother 

 Nature's seed-babies and insect children they bring a cover- 

 ing, over which Jack Frost soon gently drops the snow. 



" I never knew before what beds, 



Fragrant to smell, and soft to touch, 



The forest sifts and shapes and spreads. 



I never knew before how much 



Of human sound there is in such 



Low tones as through the forest sweep 

 When all wild things ' lie down to sleep.' 



Each day I find new coverlids 

 Tucked in, and more sweet eyes shut tight; 



