AUGUST 



This small lake was of most value as a neighbor 

 in the intervals of a gentle rainstorm in August, 

 when, both air and water being perfectly stilj, but 

 the sky overcast, mid-afternoon had all the seren- 

 ity of evening, and the wood thrush sang around, 

 and was heard from shore to shore. A lake like 

 this is never smoother than at such a time ; and the 

 clear portion of air above it being shallow and dark- 

 ened by clouds, the water, full of light and reflec- 

 tions, becomes a lower heaven itself so much the 

 more important. 



THOBEAU: Walden. 



Burly, dozing humble-bee, 

 Where thou art is clime for me. 

 Let them sail for Porto Rique, 

 Far-off heats through seas to seek ; 

 I will follow thee alone, 

 Thou animated torrid-zone I 

 Zigzag steerer, desert cheerer, 

 Let me chase thy waving lines ; 

 Keep me nearer, me thy hearer, 

 Singing over shrubs and vines. 



EMERSON: The Humble-Bee. 



