134 SONG OF THE LARK. 



" It is the lark that sings so out of tune, 

 Straining harsh discords, and unpleasing sharps. 



Some say the lark and loathed toad change eyes ; 

 O, now I would they had changed voices too ! 

 Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray." 



Romeo and Juliet, Act iii. Sc. 5. 



The lark has ugly eyes, and the toad very fine ones ; 

 hence arose the saying that the lark and toad changed 

 eyes. Juliet wished they had changed voices too ; for 

 then, as Heath has suggested, the croak of the toad would 

 have been no indication of the day's approach, and conse- 

 quently no signal for Romeo's departure. 



To the naturalist who walks abroad at early dawn, there 

 are few sights more pleasing than the soaring of a lark. 

 As the first ray of sunshine dispels the glistening dew- 

 drop and gently falls to earth, the lark, warmed by its 

 soft touch, mounts high in air, and joyfully proclaims 

 to all the advent of a new day. What glee is expressed 

 in the song of that small brown bird, which, as it soars 

 towards heaven and sings, teaches us the first duty of 

 the day gratitude to our Creator! 

 " Higher still and higher 



From the earth thou springest, 

 Like a cloud of fire ; 



The blue deep thou wingest, 

 And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest. 



