256 
ARBOR DA V MANUAL. 
The boy went musing : What are these, that burst 
The sod and grow, without the aid of man ? 
What father brought them food ? What mother nursed 
Them in her earthly lodge, till Spring began ? 
They cannot speak ; they move but with the air ; 
Yet souls of evil or of good they bear. 
How are they made, that some with wholesome juice 
Delight the tongue, and some are charged* with death ? 
If spirits them inhabit, they can loose 
Their shape sometimes, and talk with human breath ; 
Would that in dreams one such would come to me, 
And thence my teacher and my guardian be ! 
Taylor. 
THE OLD MAN’S COUNSEL. 
l HE sun of May was bright in middle heaven, 
1 And stdeped the sprouting forests, the green hills, 
And emerald wheat-fields, in his yellow light. 
Upon the apple tree, where rosy buds 
Stood clustered, ready to burst forth in bloom, 
The robin warbled forth his full clear note 
For hours, and wearied not. Within the woods, 
Whose young and half transparent leaves scarce cast 
A shade, gay circles of anemones 
Danced on their stalks; the shad-bush, white with flowers 
Brightened the glens ; the new-leaved butternut 
And quivering poplar to the roving breeze 
Gave a balsamic fragrance. In the fields 
I saw the pulses of the gentle wind 
On the green grass. My heart was touched with joy 
At so much beauty, flushing every hour 
Into a fuller beauty. 
“Well mayst thou join in gladness,” he replied, 
“With the glad earth, her springing plants and flowers, 
And this soft wind, the herald of the green 
Luxuriant summer.’’ * * * Bryant. 
In heav’n the trees 
Of life ambrosial v fruitage bear, and vines 
Yield nectar. 
Milton. 
