NATURE STUDY IN SCHOOLS. 213 



OCTOBER, 1899. 



BY 



C. J. Maynard. 



She comes in the misty twilight 



In the shade of th' waning moon, 



When from the lakes resounds the cry 

 Of the southward flying loon. 



Then silently and viewlessly 



The glorious goddess comes. 



She steals through the deep wooded glens 

 Which lie between hilltops high, 



Where rustling leaves alone proclaim 

 That the goddess passeth by. 



And on the purple mountain sides 



When the morn breaks o'er the lea, 



She hangs her crimson banners out 

 From many a woodland tree. 



All nature feels the mystic power 

 Of the goddess's magic sway, 



As with pencil fine and colors rare 

 She paints the maple spray. 



The walnuts cast their treasures down 

 At the enchantress's hidden feet ; 



While chestnut burs are opened wide 

 Her sunniest smile to greet. 



The blue jay's bell is ringing 



From every bosky tower, 

 While from the glen the partridge's drum 



Gives praise to the welcome hour. 



