THE PLOUGHMAN'S CLOCK. 133 



The ouzell shrills, the ruddock warbles soft, 

 So goodly all agree with sweet consent, 

 To this dayes merriment." 



And Milton, in the " Paradise Lost," Book v., has 



" Ye birds 

 That, singing, /// to heavens gate ascend." 



The " rising of the lark " and the " lodging of the 

 lamb" have become synonymous with "morn" and " eve," 

 (Henry V. Act iii. Sc. 7) ; and he that would rise early is 

 counselled to " stir with the lark " (Richard III. Act v. Sc. 3). 



With the labourer whose avocation takes him across 

 the fields at early dawn, the lark is always an especial 

 favourite ; and Shakespeare would have it furnish some 

 indication of the time of day : 



" When shepherds pipe on oaten straws, 

 And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks." 



Song Loves Labour s Lost. 

 Again 



" O happy fair ! 



Your eyes are lode-stars, and your tongue's sweet air 

 More tuneable than lark to shepherd's ear, 

 When wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear." 

 Midsummer Nighfs Dream, Act i. Sc. I. 



When Juliet spoke disparagingly of the lark's song, it 

 was because she wished the night prolonged, and knew 

 that his voice betokened the approach of day : 



