THE FORESTERS. IB 



T'hIow ns, wide, the woody wilds extend; 

 The same ground oak o'er all the country lies, 

 The same burnt pines in lonely prospect rise, 

 Mute and untenanted; save wiiere the jay 

 Set up his shrill alarm, and bore away. 

 One solitary hawk that sailed serene, 

 Secure, and eyeing the expanded scene, 

 High from his zenith, 'mi. 1st the bursting roar, 

 Dropt at our feet, and flutter ■•.'. Ln his gore ; 

 "Thus falls," said Duncan, 4k many a son of prick, 

 a While buoyed in thought o'er all the world bosioW* 



From these dull woods em°rging into day, 

 We pass where farms their * peuing fields display, 

 Barns, fences, cottages, a i.d lawns appeared, 

 Where various sounds of human toil were heard j 

 There, round a hut, upon a sloping green, 

 Gay laughing bands of playful boys were seen j 

 Soon, Books! aloud, is thunder' d from the door, 

 And balls and hoops must charm the hours no moofc*$ 

 But frequent tears the blotte ! leaves assail, 

 And sighs for dear-loved liberty prevail. 

 Thither, by long yet fond reraemfrrancs led, 

 With awe we enter tins seqn stered shed ; 

 All eyes are turned the Strang rs to survey, 

 One tap is heard ! — and all the hint obey ; 

 Then grave and courteous, rising from his seat. 

 The decent Master bows with meekness meet. 

 Invites to sit — looks round with watchful eye*. 

 And bids, by signs, alternate classes rise ; 

 ttears 4 reads, instructs, with solemn voice aad i lw % 



