Page:Summer - from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/358

348 methinks, the flowering season has reached its height. They surprise me as perhaps no more can. Now I am prepared for anything.

July 7, 1857. Some of the inhabitants of the Cape think that the Cape is theirs, and all occupied by them, but, in my eyes, it is no more theirs than it is the blackbirds', and in visiting the Cape there is hardly more need of my regarding or going through the villages than of going through the blackbirds' nests. I leave them both on one side, or perchance I just glance into them to see how they are built and what they contain. I know that they have spoken for the whole Cape, and lines are drawn on the maps accordingly, but I know that these are imaginary, having perambulated many such, and they would have to get me or one of my craft to find them for them. For the most part, indeed with very trifling exceptions, there were no human beings there, only a few imaginary lines on a map.

July 8, 1838.

The loudest sound that burdens here the breeze

Is the wood's whisper; 't is when we choose to list,

Audible sound, and when we list not,

It is calm profound. Tongues were provided

But to vex the ear with superficial thoughts.

When deeper thoughts up swell, the jarring discord

Of harsh speech is hushed, and senses seem

As little as may be to share the ecstasy.