288 NOVEMBER. 



of his spirit, and is often led into strains which, 

 though solemn, are any thing but sad. 



Fieldfares and redwings will be generally 

 seen this month. Sometimes they quit their 

 northern regions as early as October, if the 

 season be very severe, but more frequently 

 they make their first appearance here in this 

 month. If the weather be mild, they will be 

 heard, as they sit in flocks upon the trees, 

 warbling in concert very cheerfully in the same 

 manner as before their departure in spring. 

 Fine days will occasionally peep out so spring- 

 like, that the sky-larks attempt their flights, and 

 sing merrily ; but, perhaps, the very next morn- 

 ing shows a landscape of frost and snow. 



I saw the woods and fields at close of day 



A variegated show ; the meadows green, 



Though faded, and the lands, where lately waved 



The golden harvest, of a mellow brown, 



Upturned so lately by the peaceful share. 



I saw, far off, the weedy fallow smile 



With verdure not unprofitable, grazed 



By flocks, fast feeding, and selecting each 



His favourite herb ; while all the leafless groves 



That skirt the horizon, wore a sable hue, 



Scarce noticed in the kindred dusk of eve. 



To-morrow brings a change, a total change, 



Which even now, though silently performed, 



And slowly, and by most unfelt, the face 



Of universal nature undergoes. 



Fast falls the fleecy shower ; the downy flakes 



