fffje Hast Jonfc's=t)oot spfre. 323 



November ; Keats' s applies more strictly to late 

 October. Each is perfect in its way. Between 

 them exists the same difference as there exists 

 between Keats's and Leigh Hunt's rival sonnets 

 to the grasshopper and cricket. Keats's is less 

 forceful. Could there be anything stronger than 

 Hood's grand opening lines ? 



I saw old Autumn in the misty morn 

 Stand shadow less like Silence listening 

 To silence, for no lonely bird would sing 

 Into his hollow ear from woods forlorn, 

 Nor lowly hedge, nor solitary thorn. 



It is the very shadow of November, when the 

 fire of autumn is burned out, and shivering Na- 

 ture silently awaits the shroud which is to cover 

 her. These four lines have rarely been equaled 

 in the picture they convey of autumn desolation : 



Where is the pride of summer the green prime 

 The many, many leaves all twinkling ? Three 



On the moss'd elm, three on the naked lime 

 Trembling, and one upon the old oak-tree ! 



And again : 



The squirrel gloats o'er his accomplish'd hoard, 

 The ants have brimm'd their garners with ripe grain, 



And honey-bees have stored 

 The sweets of summer in their luscious cells ; 

 The swallows all have wing'd across the main ; 



