THE PLOUGHMAN’S CLOCK. 133 
The ouzell shrills, the ruddock warbles soft, 
So goodly all agree with sweet consent, 
To this dayes merriment.” 
And Milton, in the “ Paradise Lost,’ Book v., has— 
“Ve birds 
That, singing, up to heaven's gate ascend.” 
The “rising of the lark” and the “lodging of the 
lamb” have become synonymous with “morn” and “ eve,” 
(Henry V. Act iii. Sc. 7); and he that would tise early is 
counselled to “ stir with the lark ” (Richard IIT. Act v. Sc. 3). 
With the labourer whose avocation takes him across 
the fields at early dawn, the lark is always an especial 
favourite; and Shakespeare would have it furnish some 
indication of the time of day :— 
“When shepherds pipe on oaten straws, 
And merry larks are ploughmen’s clocks.” 
Song—Love's Labour's Lost. 
Again--- 
“O happy fair! 
Your eyes are lode-stars, and your tongue’s sweet air 
More tuneable than lark to shepherd’s ear, 
When wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear.” 
Midsummer Night's Dream, Act i. Se. 1. 
When Juliet spoke disparagingly of the lark’s song, it 
was because she wished the night prolonged, and knew 
that his voice betokened the approach of day :— 
