834 
WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIRDS. 
Joy swells melodious in his throat, 
Joy quivers in his wings. 
No cunning show of art severe, 
But soft and low his lay — 
A sunbeam shining to the ear — 
Spring's softest, brightest ray. 
Those magic tones call from the past 
The sunny hours of youth ; 
And shining hopes come thronging fast 
From worlds of love and truth. 
The harmony is seen and heard ; 
For notes and rays combine, 
And joys and hopes, and sun and bird^ 
All seem to sing and shine. 
Is not that strain an ^olian of Spirit Land — a " Sunbeam 
sliining to tlie ear" — than which old Herrick never produced 
a more dainty image. 
But let us take leave of these gentle recreations " out of 
Doors with Nature " with a bit of Ehymed Philosophy that 
may have its uses in reconciling men to our desultory mode 
of treating such heretofore strait-laced and science-encrusted 
themes. 
COMMON NATURE. 
Every flower that bears an odor, 
Gives it to the common wind, 
Every star that lives in beaming 
Sends a ray to common mind. 
Scentless flowers give too their blessing, 
From the splendors on their lips, 
Every fitful air caressing, 
Splendor out of splendor sips. 
Tuneless birds tell too their story — 
Out on rustling glancing plumes- 
Each gives back the sun its glory, 
When the shadow it illumes. 
