REIN DEER. 



273 



Indulgent Nature yields her free supplies. 



And bids thy simple food around thee rise. 



Along thy shores the scaly myriads play. 



And gathering birds pursue their airy way. 



Gurgles to quench thy thirst the crystal spring. 



And ranging herds their milky tribute bring. 



No fell disease attacks thy hardy frame. 



Or damps with sullen cloud the vital flame 5 



But flies to plague amid their tainted sky 



The sick'ning sons of full-fed luxury. 



Thy aged sires can boast a cent'ry past. 



And life's clear lamp burns briskly to the last. 



In woods and groves, beneath the trembling spray. 



Glides on, in sweet content, thy peaceful day : 



Gay exercise with ruddy health combin'd, 



And, far beyond the rest 1 the freedom of the mind. 



Here stands secure, beneath the northern zone, 



O sacred Innocence, thy turf-built throne : 



'Tis here thou wav'st aloft thy snowy wings. 



Far from the pride of courts and pomp of kings. 



It is true there are some drawbacks on this 

 scene of feHcity. The winter may be said to con- 

 tinue nearly nine months, and is of a rigour un- 

 known in the more southern regions of the world : 

 the sun is invisible for a certain period, and the 

 moon and stars, with the frequent coruscations 

 of the aurora borealis, and the reflection from the 

 snow, constitute the only light afforded by Na^ 

 ture. During this season, therefore, the inhabi- 

 tants must of necessity experience all the horrors 

 atendant on a northern winter. The short sum- 

 mer, on the contrary, when once fairly com- 

 menced, is scarce less oppressive, from the innu- 

 merable legions of musquitoeSj which abound to 



