Page:Literary pilgrimages of a naturalist (IA literarypilgrima00packrich).pdf/61

 soft colors of blue that grow violet purple with the coming of dusk below and the rosy afterglow of reflected sunset in the sky above. Captain John Smith named the range "The Cheviot Hills" in recollection of old England, but all the countryside named it Blue Hill because of the changing wonder of its coloring, which is a constant delight to the eye. On stormy days when gray north-*easters send torn clouds, fragrant with the tonic smell of the brine, whirling over it, the hill looms misty and vague, as if it might well be a mountain scores of miles distant, instead of the single mile it is along the straight road. On such days all the wild sea myths and northland sagas seem to be blown in over the hill barrier and trail down from the skirts of the clouds into the secluded peace of Ponkapoag valley. Hence, to those who dream, come sea longings.

"The first world-sound that fell upon my ear Was that of the great winds along the coast Crushing the deep-sea beryl on the rocks— The distant breakers' sullen cannonade. Against the spires and gables of the town The white fog drifted, catching here and there At over-leaning cornice or peaked roof, And hung—weird gonfalons. The garden walks