Page:Scenes in my Native Land.pdf/45

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was a summer's day, when old Montauk First gleamed upon us. Many a mile we drove Over a treeless region, hill and dale Wrapped in a short, green sward. There, grazed at will, Herds of young cattle, by no fence restrained, And limitless in their equality, As a Laconian brotherhood. Quite lean They were, and agile, and with goat-like nerve Could scour o'er paths precipitous—yet each Bent on our vehicles a curious eye, Pausing and pondering, as if much inclined Our destination and our names to learn. 'T was strange in such wild solitudes to be So questioned by those quadrupeds. Perchance, Some Yankee pedigree they might have held, In old time far away; for all, methought, Thirsted to ask our birth-place, and degree, Date, history, kindred, gains, and hopes, and fears, And prospects and pursuits. Right scanty fare