THE CHARM OF GARDENS 



leaves to the great tree roots all snug in the soil ; and he 

 will learn of the veins in the leaves, and the properties of 

 the gum of the bark, yet will he never learn that of which 

 the tree speaks always, night and day praising. 



Of what is the colour of green that the earth's best 

 page is made of it ? Of what is the colour of young 

 green that it brings, unbidden, tender thoughts ? It is 

 more than the gold of Corn, and the brown of ploughed 

 earth, and the glory of flowers. By it comes peace to the 

 eyes, and through the eyes to the heart of man, so that 

 men say of youth and the times of youth that they are 

 salad days ; and of old age, if so be it is a fine old age, 

 that it is green. It is the colour of the body as blue is 

 the colour of the soul. The sky and the sea are blue, 

 and they are things of mystery, deep and profound, and 

 because of their great depth and profundity they are 

 blue. The grass and the trees, and the leaves of flowers, 

 and blades of young Corn are green. They are mysterious 

 things but they are nearer to man, and he has them to his 

 hand to be near them, and get quick comfort of them. 



And Daisies are the stars of the grass, as stars are the 

 Daisies of Heaven ; and if a man look long at the stars 

 set out orderly in the sky he may become fearful, for 

 God may seem far off and difficult ; yet if he be near he 

 may pick a Daisy and take his fill of comfortable things, 

 for God will seem near and His voice in the Daisy. 



Yet many a man will walk over a field of grass pressing 

 the Daisies with his feet, and take no heed of them, or of 

 the stars over above his head ; and the night and the day 

 will be to him but light and darkness, and the stars but 

 lanterns to show him home, and the Daisies but flowers 

 of the field. But if he be a man who sees all, and 

 in everything can feel the finger and pulse of God, his 

 staff will blossom in his hand, and he will go on his way 

 rejoicing. 



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