JUNE. 



93 



ed to invite to their cooling shade. Henry 

 made a rude seat under the wide spreading 

 elm, which was a favorite retreat to himself 

 and sister ; and here, secure from the burning 

 sun, and fanned with the gentle breeze, many 

 pleasant hours were spent in reading and in 

 examining flowers; while above their heads in 

 the thick luxuriant branches, numberless yelhwv 

 birds made the air vocal with their pleasing 

 notes. The Golden Robin, too, claimed a 

 part of the tree as his domain, for on its long 

 swinging branches, he had built his nest, and 

 seemed busy in his domestic concerns ; while 

 the swift Swallow, as though he was afraid 

 there would be a lack of amusement, w T as 

 circling round the tree, almost with the rapid- 

 ity of lightning, nimbly feeding upon his active 

 prey. 



Here they were seated on a warm June day, 

 with a great variety of fresh gathered flowers. 



