THE STOTT OF A BLADE OF GRASS. 
23 
“ Glistening with, dew, the green-haired Spring 
Walks through the woods, and, smiling, in her train, 
Youth glitters gay on cherub wing, 
And life, exulting, lifts the eye to Heaven.*’® 
It comes to this, that if we want to know all that the 
poets have said about Grass, or even all that they have 
said directly in praise of it, we must read and note down, 
and gather together, and compare, and so this chapter 
must remain uncompleted; but whoever chooses may 
proceed into it as a special department of the study of 
“ Common Things.” One reason why it is of necessity 
a favourite with the poets, gives us the subject for 
chapter 
VII. IT IS EMBLEMATIC. 
It is always of the same colour; it changes its aspect 
with the seasons, but neither the frost of January nor the 
fire of June ever utterly extinguish its sempiternal ver¬ 
dure, therefore, it is the emblem of constancy; it is 
faithful to the brown earth that feeds it, to the blue 
sky that hangs above it like a tent, and at the horizon 
touches it, as if there the tent-pegs were driven into the 
ground. It is an emblem of life, the stature of its 
growth is limited and it clings closely to the earth; the 
brightest of its blossoms are demure, as compared with 
things of less utility that share the sunshine with it; and 
just as man, in the midst of stern utilities and material 
thoughts holds firmly to sources of heavenly knowledge, 
and cherishes the faith that gives him hope in heaven, so 
the grass shelters many a bright-faced daisy, because for- 
* Mickle —Ode 3. 
