WHEATFIELDS. 103 



scene where it was first gathered long since at the 

 edge of the wheat. 



By the copse here now the teazles lift their spiny 

 heads high in the hedge, the young nuts are browning, 

 the wild mints flowering on the shores of the ditch, 

 and the reapers are cutting ceaselessly at the ripe 

 corn. The larks have brought their loves to a happy 

 conclusion. Besides them, the wheat in its day has 

 sheltered many other creatures — both animals and 

 birds. 



Hares raced about it in the spring, and even in 

 the May sunshine might be seen rambling over the 

 slopes. As it grew higher it hid the leverets and 

 the pxrtridge chicks. Toll has been taken by 

 rook, and sparrow, and pigeon. Enemies, too, have 

 assailei it ; the daring couch invaded it, the bind- 

 weed dimbed up the stalk, the storm rushed along 

 and beat it down. Yet it triumphed, and to-day the 

 full sh3aves lean against each other. 



