a Berkshire jfloofc. 27 



and roadside trees comes an outburst of song by 

 a great multitude of birds, such as might have 

 swelled about the ark when its windows were 

 opened and the songsters released from their long 

 imprisonment. The cheerful robin warbles his con- 

 tent, the song-sparrow adds his happy measure, and 

 at intervals there comes from afar the solemn voice 

 of the thrush, like the intoning of an evening prayer. 

 But soon a hush falls upon forest and field. 



" Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight 

 And all the air a solemn stillness holds." 



The Berkshire flood is over and its tides go down 

 with the sun. 



