96 VOICES FKOM THE WOODLANDS. 



forests, and fattened them on the acorns ; and in ages 

 past you might have seen the grunting brotherhood 

 repairing to the oak of Salcey, as to a storehouse, for 

 their daily food. Other oaks grew round, but none of 

 equal magnitude or so rich in acorns, and this they well 

 knew ; even now, though the oak is failing fast, and scions 

 are grouping round, you may see a few of those restless 

 creatures, when, having left their styes in the neighbouring 

 farmyards, 



" From oak to oak they run with eager haste, 

 And wrangling share the first delicious taste 

 Of fallen acorns, yet but thinly found, 

 Till the strong gale have shook them to the ground. 

 It comes, and roaring woods obedient wave ; 

 Their home, well pleased, the joint adventurers leave : 

 The trudging sow leads forth her numerous young, 

 Playful, and white, and clean, the briars among, 

 Till briars and thorns, increasing, fence them round, 

 "Where last year's mouldering leaves bestrew the ground ; 

 And o'er their heads, loud lash'd by furious squalls, 

 Bright from their cups the rattling treasure falls ; 

 Hot, thirsty food : whence doubly sweet and cool 

 The welcome margin of some rush-crowned pool." 



Bloomfield. 



