Page:White - The natural history of Selborne, and the naturalist's calendar, 1879.djvu/488

466

Till time shall be no more, in ceaseless round, Season shall follow season: day to night, Summer to winter, harvest to seed time, Heat shall to cold in regular array Succeed."—Heaven-taught, so sang the Hebrew bard.

by the gentle gleamings of the morn, Soon clad, the reaper, provident of want, Hies cheerful-hearted to the ripen'd field; Nor hastes alone; attendant by his side His faithful wife, sole partner of his cares, Bears on her breast the sleeping babe; behind, With steps unequal, trips her infant train: Thrice happy pair, in love and labour join'd!
 * All day they ply their task; with mutual chat,

Beguiling each the sultry, tedious hours. Around them falls in rows the sever'd corn, Or the shocks rise in regular array.
 * But when high noon invites to short repast,

Beneath the shade of sheltering thorn they sit, Divide the simple meal, and drain the cask: The swinging cradle lulls the whimpering babe, Meantime; while growling round, if at the tread Of hasty passenger alarm'd, as of their store Protective, stalks the cur with bristling back, To guard the scanty scrip and russet frock.