304 DECEMBER. 



were stripped of their array. Boreas blew his 

 bugle-horn so loud, that the solitary deer with- 

 drew to the dales ; the small birds flocked to 

 the thick briars, shunning the tempestuous 

 blast, and changing their loud notes to chirp- 

 ing ; the cataracts roared, and every linden-tree 

 whistled and brayed to the sounding of the 

 wind. The poor labourers, wet and weary, 

 draggled in the fen. The sheep and shepherds 

 lurked under the hanging banks, or wild broom. 

 Warm from the chimney-side, and refreshed 

 with generous cheer, I stole to my bed, and laid 

 down to sleep, when I saw the moon shed 

 through the window her twinkling glances, and 

 wintry light ; I heard the horned bird, the night- 

 owl, shrieking horribly with crooked bill from 

 her cavern ; I heard the wild geese with scream- 

 ing cries fly over the city through the silent 

 night. I was soon lulled to sleep, till the cock, 

 clapping his wings, crowed thrice, and the day 

 peeped. I waked, and saw the moon disappear, 

 and heard the jackdaws cackle on the roof of 

 the house. The cranes, prognosticating tem- 

 pests, in a firm phalanx, pierced the air with 

 voices sounding like a trumpet. The kite, 

 j>erched on an old tree, fast by my chamber, 

 cried lamentably, a sign of the dawning day. 

 I rose, and half opening my window, perceived 

 the morning, livid, wan, and hoary ; the air 



