MOORLAND IDYLLS. 



weird and witch-like plant. I think one 

 might use it with great advantage for incan- 

 tations and sorcery. The Poet decided to 

 try its effect next time he would rid himself 

 of a discarded lady-love. We plucked great 

 armfuls, and carried them along with us as 

 far as Highfield. Other flowers were there, 

 too, of less poetic interest bright yellow 

 corn-marigolds, and scented white campion ; 

 scarlet poppies by the score, with waving 

 panicles of not a few tall grasses. We 

 gathered of them all, and they stand before 

 me now, gladdening my eyes as I write, in 

 the coarse red pots of plain Hampshire 

 earthenware. 



They had no strawberries left, after all, 

 at Highfield. We had our walk for nothing 

 if that be nothing ! So we used the empty 

 basket to carry back our trophies. But, 

 returning by the lane, we filled our vacant 

 arms once more with foxgloves ; and the 

 fox himself crossed our path for a second 

 again at the selfsame turning, without 

 136 



