BUD-BREAK 55 



looks deeper into the embryo death hidden under 

 leaves, waiting in egg and in earth for each young 

 thing unfolding. Woodbines contrast their jade- 

 green buds with the fresher verdancy of the wild 

 roses' foliage ; early speedwells already open blue 

 eyes in the medley ; galiums twine their tresses 

 through the texture of the hedge ; wild arums splash 

 the way with sprawling green ; and at each fern's 

 heart are little crosiers of silver that await only one 

 warm shower to uncurl the frond. Ivy is budding ; 

 lusty umbel-bearers expand their vigorous foliage ; 

 potentilla mimics the wild strawberry's blossom ; 

 violets, purple and white, glimmer amongst the green. 

 The amber stipules of the oak are swelling and 

 growing paler ; the black buds of the ash show no 

 softening pallor as yet, although its flower-buds are 

 open and the inflorescence is active ; the sycamores 

 and spindles begin to break, but the maple is tardy 

 and the dogwood still asleep. The wayfaring tree 

 has brownish leaves out, and its round heads of 

 blossom, presently to gladden each summer hedge- 

 row, are visible, huddled in downy clusters and hidden 

 in no sheltering sheath. The limes are gemmed with 

 delicate leaves, and the hazel and the alder are making 

 ready ; but the sallow folk — osiers and willows — are all 

 bedecked with silver and gold, and too overjoyed at 

 their shining tassels and catkins to think as yet of 

 leafage. The poplars also — the aspen, the white, and 

 the black — are concerned with blossom ; though the 

 white poplar's pale foliage is also near at hand. 



