APRIL 



23 



The grass is greening here and there on the 

 moist slopes and by the spring runs ; the first fur- 

 row has been struck by the farmer ; the liver-leaf 

 is in the height of its beauty, and the bright con- 

 stellations of the bloodroot shine out here and 

 there ; one has had his first taste and his second 

 taste of the spring and of the woods, and his tongue 

 is sharpened rather than cloyed. Now he will 

 take the most delicious and satisfying draught of 

 all, the very essence and soul of the early season, of 

 the tender brooding days, with all their prophecies 

 and awakenings, in the handful of trailing arbutus 



which he gathers in his walk. 



BURROUGHS: Riverby. 



24 



See a little blue butterfly fluttering about on the 

 dry brown leaves in a warm place by the swamp 

 side, making a pleasant contrast. From time to 

 time have seen the large Vanessa antiopa resting on 

 the black willows, like a leaf still adhering. As I 

 sit by the swamp side this warm summery after- 

 noon I hear the crows cawing hoarsely, and from 

 time to time see one flying toward the top of a tall 

 white pine. At length I distinguish a hen-hawk 

 perched on the top. The crow repeatedly stoops 

 toward him, now from this side, now from that, 

 passing near his head each time, but he pays not 

 the least attention to it. 



THOREAU: Mav Da vs. 



