120 NATURAL HISTORY READER. 



Silvers the horizon wall, 

 And, with softness touching all, 

 Tints the human countenance 

 With the color of romance ; 

 And, infusing subtle heats, 

 Turns the sod to violets — 

 Thou, in sunny solitudes, 

 Rover of the underwoods, 

 The green silence doth displace 

 With thy mellow, breezy bass. 



4. Hot midsummer's petted crone, 

 Sweet to me thy drowsy tone 

 Tells of countless sunny hours, 

 Long days, and solid banks of flowers 

 Of gulfs of sweetness without bound 

 In Indian wildernesses found ! 



Of Syrian peace, immortal leisure, 

 Firmest cheer, and bird-like pleasure. 



5. Aught unsavory or unclean 

 Hath my insect never seen ; 

 But violets and bilberry-bells, 

 Maple-sap and daffodels, 



Grass with green flag half-mast high;, 

 Succory to match the sky, 

 Columbine with horn of honey, 

 Scented fern and agrimonj'. 

 Clover, catchfly, adders-tongue, 

 And briar-roses, dwelt among ; 

 All beside was unknown waste, 

 All was picture as he passed. 



6. Wiser far than human seer, 

 Yellow-breeched philosopher ! 



