136 



AUTUMN AND WINTER 



But much mystery remains. We do not even know the 

 place of the hibernation, though perhaps the mystery is not 

 lessened when we do. No one knows how far the snail can 

 be said to be alive in winter. He shrinks far back into the 

 shell. Across the mouth he leaves a hardening film that 

 shuts out the elements of life as well as the entrance of 

 enemies. If you broke the film you see a thing that is of 

 the very type of death. Its recovery looks as impossible 



as a shrivelled piece of lichen, which may remain changeless, 

 it is argued, for a thousand years. But the lichens will 

 revive at the touch of moisture as surely as the snails to the 

 lengthening sunshine. In them too is symbolised 'the 

 mystery of resurgent eastertide.' It is symbolised even in 

 the snake, which is among the winterers. 



* The world's great age begins anew, 



The golden years return. 

 The world doth like a snake renew 

 Its winter weeds outworn.' 



