134 SONG OF THE LARK. 



" It is the lark that sings so out of tune, 

 Straining harsh discords, and unpleasing sharps. 



Some say the lark and loathed toad change eyes ; 

 O, now I would they had changed voices too ! 

 Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray.'' 



Romeo and Juliet, Act iii. Sc. 5. 

 The lark has ugly eyes, and the toad very fine ones ; 

 hence arose the saying that the lark and toad changed 

 eyes. Juliet wished they had changed voices too ; for 

 then, as Heath has suggested, the croak of the toad would 

 have been no indication of the day's approach, and conse- 

 quently no signal for Romeo's departure. 



To the naturalist who walks abroad at early dawn, there 

 are few sights more pleasing than the soaring of a lark. 

 As the first ray of sunshine dispels the glistening dew- 

 drop and gently falls to earth, the lark, warmed by its 

 soft touch, mounts high in air, and joyfully proclaims 

 to all the advent of a new day. What glee is expressed 

 in the song of that small brown bird, which, as it soars 

 towards heaven and sings, teaches us the first duty of 

 the day — gratitude to our Creator! 

 " Higher still and higher 



From the earth thou springest, 

 Like a cloud of fire ; 



The blue deep thou wingest, 

 And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest. 



