Who hath smelt wood-smoke at twilight? Who hath heard the birch-log burning? Kipling Im kühlen Tannenwalde Da steht mein freies Haus. Adolf Stöber For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace. Book of Job, V. 23-4 THE CAMP . N A NIGHT AMONG THE PINES IGHT is a dead monotonous period under a roof; but in the open world it passes lightly, with its stars and dews and perfumes, and the hours are marked by changes in the face of Nature. What seems a kind of temporal death to people choked between walls and curtains, is only a light and living slumber to the man who sleeps afield. All night long he can hear Nature breathing deeply and freely; even as she takes her rest, she turns and smiles; and there is one stirring hour unknown to those who dwell in houses, when a wakeful influence goes abroad over the sleeping hemisphere, and all the outdoor world are on their feet. It is then that the cock first crows, not this time to announce the dawn, but like a cheerful watchman speeding the course of night. Cattle awake on the meadows; sheep break their fast on dewy hillsides, and change to a new lair among the ferns; and houseless men, who have lain down with the fowls, open their dim eyes and behold the beauty of the night. 66 We are disturbed in our slumber only, like the luxurious Montaigne, 'that we may the better and more sensibly relish it." We have a moment to look upon the stars. And there is a special pleasure for some minds in the reflection that we share the impulse with all out-door creatures in our neighborhood, that we have escaped out of the Bastille of civilization, and are become, for the time being, a mere kindly animal and a sheep of Nature's flock. Robert Louis Stevenson UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE UNDER the green wood tree, Who loves to lie with me, And tune his merry note Unto the sweet bird's throat, Come hither, come hither, come hither: No enemy But winter and rough weather. Who doth ambition shun, And pleased with what he gets, No enemy But winter and rough weather. Shakespeare COME FAIRY BREAD OME up here, O dusty feet! Here in my retiring room, Children, you may dine On the golden smell of broom And when you have eaten well, Fairy stories hear and tell. Robert Louis Stevenson T A CAMP HE bed was made, the room was fit, No need was there for maid or man, Robert Louis Stevenson THE FAIRIES F ye will with Mab find grace, in Rake the fire up, and get Water in, ere sun be set. Wash your pails and cleanse your dairies, Sluts are loathsome to the fairies; Sweep your house; Who doth not so, Mab will pinch her by the toe. Robert Herrick TO PHILLIS, TO LOVE AND LIVE WITH HIM LIVE, live with me, and thou shalt see The pleasures I'll prepare for thee: What sweets the country can afford Thy feasting-table shall be hills Where thou shalt sit, and Red-breast by, Robert Herrick THE HOUSE OF THE TREES Ο PE your doors and take me in, Wash me clean of dust and din, Take me from the noisy light All your dusky twilight stores To my senses give; Take me in and lock the doors, Lift your leafy roof for me, Ope your doors and take me in, Take me- make me next of kin To your leafy brood. Ethelwyn Wetherald |