Spring
n
Note: The title "Spring" is
interlined in pencil at the top of the original leaf containing Spring 1a and
appears in ink at the head of the fair copy of Spring 1a. (R. Clapper)
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Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts
The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
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Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts
The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
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Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts
The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
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Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts
The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
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Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts
The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
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Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts
The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
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Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts
The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
The opening of large tracts by the
ice-cutters
commonly causes a pond to break up earlier;
since
for
since
for
since
for
since
for
since
for
since
for
since
for
for
the water, agitated by the wind, even in cold weather, wears away the
surrounding ice. But such was not the effect on Walden that year, for she had soon
got a thick new garment to
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Revision note: F1: replace
replace
take the place of
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Revision note: F1: replace
replace
take the place of
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Revision note: F1: replace
replace
take the place of
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Revision note: F1: replace
replace
take the place of
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Revision note: F1: replace
replace
take the place of
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Revision note: F1: replace
replace
take the place of
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Revision note: F1: replace
replace
take the place of
take the place of
the old.
This pond never breaks up so soon as the others in this neighborhood,
both on account both
both on account both
both on account both
both on account both
both on account both
both on account both
both on account both
on account both
of its greater depth and its having no stream passing through it to melt
the ice or wear it away the ice
the ice or wear it away the ice
the ice or wear it away the ice
the ice or wear it away the ice
the ice or wear it away the ice
the ice or wear it away the ice
the ice or wear it away the ice
or wear away the ice.
I never knew it to open in the course of a winter, not excepting
that just passed
of
that just passed
of
that just passed
of
that just passed
of
that just passed
of
that just passed
of
that just passed
of
that of
’52-3, which gave the ponds so severe a trial.
It
commonly opens about the first of April, a week or ten days later than Flint’s
Pond
or
and
or
and
or
and
or
and
or
and
or
and
or
and
and
Fair-Haven, beginning to
melt first
melt first
melt first
melt first
melt first
melt first
melt first
melt
on the north side and in the shallower parts where it began to freeze.
I think it
I think it
I think it
I think it
I think it
I think it
I think it
It
indicates better than any water hereabouts the absolute progress of the
season, being least affected by transient changes of temperature. A severe cold of
a
day or two’s
few days’
day or two’s
few days’
day or two’s
few days’
day or two’s
few days’
day or two’s
few days’
day or two’s
few days’
day or two’s
few days’
few days’
duration in March may very much retard the
breaking up
opening
breaking up
opening
breaking up
opening
breaking up
opening
breaking up
opening
breaking up
opening
breaking up
opening
opening
of the former ponds, while the temperature of Walden increases almost
uninterruptedly.
A thermometer thrust into the middle of Walden on the 6th of March, 1847,
stood at 32°, or freezing point; near the shore at 33°; in the middle of Flint’s
Pond, the same day, at 32½°; at a dozen rods from the shore, in shallow water,
under ice a foot thick, at 36°. This difference of three and a half degrees
between the temperature of the deep water and the shallow in the latter pond, and
the fact that a great proportion of it is comparatively shallow, show why it
should break up so much sooner than Walden.
The ice in the shallowest part
was accordingly
was accordingly
was
at this time several inches thinner than in the middle. In mid-winter the
middle had been the warmest and the ice thinnest there. So, also, every one who
has waded about the shores of the pond in summer must have
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Revision note: F1: observed
observed
perceived
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Revision note: F1: observed
observed
perceived
perceived
how much warmer the water is close to the shore, where only three or four
inches deep, than a little distance out, and
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Revision note: F1: near the bottom in deep water than on the surface
near
on the surface of
where it is deep water than near the bottom
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Revision note: F1: near the bottom in deep water than on the surface
near
on the surface of
where it is deep water than near the bottom
on the surface where it is deep, than near the
bottom.
In spring the sun not only exerts an influence
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Revision note: F1: indirectly through
indirectly through
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Revision note: F1: indirectly through
indirectly through
through
the increased temperature of the air and earth, but its heat
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Revision note: F1: apparently passes directly
apparently passes directly
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Revision note: F1: apparently passes directly
apparently passes directly
passes
through ice a foot or more thick, and is reflected from the bottom in
shallow water, and so also warms the water and melts the under side of the ice,
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Revision note: F1: first
first
at the same time that it is melting it more directly above
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Revision note: F1: first
first
at the same time that it is melting it more directly above
at the same time that it is melting it more directly
above,
making it uneven, and causing the air bubbles which it contains to extend
themselves upward and downward until it is completely honey-combed, and at last
disappears suddenly in a single spring rain.
Ice has its grain as well as wood, and when a cake begins to rot or
"comb" as the phrase is
"comb," as the phrase is
"comb," as the phrase is
"comb,"
that is, assume the appearance of honey-comb, whatever may be its position,
the air cells are at right angles with what was the water
surface. Every one must have observed
that
surface. Every one must have observed that
surface. Every one must have observed that
surface.
Where there is a
larger rock
larger rock
rock
or a log rising near to the surface the ice over it is much thinner, and
is frequently
is frequently
is frequently
quite dissolved by this reflected heat; and I have been told that in the
experiment
at
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Revision note: F1: Fresh Pond
Fresh Pond
Cambridge
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Revision note: F1: Fresh Pond
Fresh Pond
Cambridge
Cambridge
to freeze water in a shallow wooden pond, though the cold air circulated
underneath, and so had access to both sides, the reflection of the sun from the
bottom more than counterbalanced this advantage. When a warm rain in the middle of
the winter
washes
melts
washes
melts
melts
off the snow-ice from
our pond
Walden
our pond
Walden
Walden,
and leaves a hard dark or transparent ice on the middle, there will be a
strip of rotten though thicker white ice, a rod or more wide, about the shores,
created by this reflected heat. Also, as I have said, the bubbles themselves
within the ice operate as burning glasses to melt the ice beneath.
Other things being equal, the deeper the water the more
slowly it is affected by changes of temperature, whether we consider
different ponds, or different parts of the same pond. The
Other things being equal, the deeper the water the more slowly it is
affected by changes of temperature, whether we consider different ponds,
or different parts of the same pond. The
The
phenomena of the year take place every day
in a pond on a small scale.
Every morning,
to speak generally
generally speaking,
the shallow water is being warmed more rapidly than the deep, though it may
not be made so warm after all, and every evening it is being cooled more rapidly
until the
morning again
morning again
morning,
The day is an epitome of the
year. The night is the winter, the morning and evening are the spring and
fall, and the noon is the summer. The cracking and booming of the ice indicate a
change of temperature.
In a pleasant winter day
One pleasant morning
In a pleasant winter day
One pleasant morning
In a pleasant winter day
One pleasant morning
One pleasant morning
after a cold night, February 24th,
1850
1850
1850
1850,
when I went
had gone
when I had
having gone
when I had
having gone
having gone
to Flint’s Pond to spend the
day observing the temperature of the water
day, observing the temperature of the water
day, observing the temperature of the water
day,
I
perceived
perceived
noticed with surprise
perceived
noticed with surprise
noticed with surprise,
that
If you strike
When I struck
If you strike
When I struck
If you strike
When I struck
when I struck
the ice with
an
the head of my axe early in such a
the morning it will resound
I was surprised & pleased to find that it
resounded
the head of my axe early in the morning, I was surprised
& pleased to find that it resounded
the head of my axe early in the morning, I was surprised
& pleased to find that it resounded
the head of my axe, it resounded
like a gong for many rods around,
as if you
I had
as if you
I had
as if you
I had
or as if I had
struck on a tight drum-head.
it will begin
the pond began
it will begin
the pond began
it will begin
the pond began
The pond began
to boom about an hour after sunrise, when it
feels
felt
feels
felt
feels
felt
felt
the influence of the
sun, will stretch itself & yawn
sun’s rays slanted upon it from over the hills;
it stretched itself & yawned
sun, will stretch itself & yawn
sun’s rays slanted upon it from over the hills;
it stretched itself & yawned
sun, will stretch itself & yawn
sun’s rays slanted upon it from over the hills;
it stretched itself & yawned
sun’s rays slanted upon it from over the hills; it
stretched itself and yawned
like a waking man with a
great
great
great
gradually increasing
tumult,
which was kept up for
which was kept up for
which was kept up for
which was kept up
three or four hours.
then take
took
Then it took
Then it
then
took
It took
a short siesta at noon, and
boom
boomed
boom
boomed
boom
boomed
boomed
once more toward night, as the sun
is
was
is
was
is
was
was
withdrawing his influence.
So in the spring, which is the forenoon of the year, you will
hear the rivers break up by day or night with a loud startling
whoop, as if their icy fetters were rent from end to end
In the right stage of the weather a pond fires its evening gun with
great regularity.
In the right stage of the weather a pond fires its evening
gun with great regularity.
But
at noon, when it had ceased to boom, and is was
at noon, when it had ceased to boom, and was
in the middle of the day, being
at noon, when it had ceased to boom, and was
in the middle of the day, being
in the middle of the day, being
full of cracks, and the air
is
was also
also was
also was
also being
less elastic, it
has
had completely
had completely
had completely
lost its resonance, and probably fishes and muskrats could
be more easily
not then have been
be more easily
not then have been
be more easily
not then have been
not then have been
stunned by a blow on
the ice in the morning
it
it.
The ordinary belching of the ice is a singularly frog-like
sound
it.
The ordinary belching of the ice is a singularly frog-like
sound
it.
The fishermen say that the "thundering of the pond" scares the
fish
fish
fish
fishes
and prevents their
catch them
biting
catch them
biting
catch them
biting
biting.
The pond does not thunder every evening, and I cannot tell surely when to
expect its thundering; but though I may perceive no difference in the weather,
the pond
it
the pond
it
the pond
it
it
does.
Who would have suspected so large and cold and thick-skinned a thing to be
so sensitive?
It cracks
Yet it has its law to which it thunders obedience
Yet it has its law to which it thunders obedience
when it should as surely as the buds expand in the spring. The earth is all
alive and covered with papillæ.
The largest pond is as sensitive to atmospheric
changes as the globule of mercury in its tube.
One attraction in coming to the woods to live was that I
should
might
should
should
might
should
should
might
should
should
might
should
should
might
should
should
might
should
should
might
should
should
have leisure and opportunity to see the spring come in. The ice in the pond at
length begins to be honey-combed, and I
could
can
could
can
could
can
could
can
could
can
could
can
could
can
can
set my heel in it as I
walked
walk
walked
walk
walked
walk
walked
walk
walked
walk
walked
walk
walked
walk
walk.
Fogs and rains and warmer suns are gradually melting the
snows
snows
snows
snows
snows
snows
snow
snows
snow
snow;
the days have grown sensibly longer; and
we
I see how we
I
we
I see how we
I
we
I see how we
I
we
I see how we
I
we
I see how we
I
we
I see how we
I
we
I see how we
I
I see how I
shall get through the winter without adding to
our
my
our
my
our
my
our
my
our
my
our
my
our
my
my
wood-pile, for large fires
are now
are now
are now
are now
are now
are now
are now
are
no longer necessary.
and I
and I
and I
and I
and I
and I
and I
I
am on the alert for the first signs of spring,
if I can
to hear the striped squirrels bark—or the chance
note of some migratory bird
if I can
to hear the striped squirrels bark—or the chance
note of some migratory bird
if I can
to hear the striped squirrels bark—or the chance
note of some migratory bird
if I can
to hear the striped squirrels bark—or the chance
note of some migratory bird
to hear the striped squirrels bark, for his stores must be
now nearly exhausted, or the chance note of some migratory
arriving bird , or the striped squirrels
chirp, for his stores must be now nearly exhausted
to hear the striped squirrels bark, for his stores must be
now nearly exhausted, or the chance note of some migratory
arriving bird , or the striped squirrels
chirp, for his stores must be now nearly exhausted
to hear the striped squirrels bark, for his stores must be
now nearly exhausted, or the chance note of some migratory
arriving bird , or the striped squirrels
chirp, for his stores must be now nearly exhausted
to hear the chance note of some arriving bird, or the striped
squirrel's chirp,
for his stores must be now nearly exhausted, or see the woodchuck venture out
of his winter quarters. On the 13th of March, after I had heard the
song sparrow and the black-bird
song sparrow and the black-bird
song sparrow and the black-bird
song sparrow and the black-bird
blue bird song-sparrow and the
blackbird
red wing
blue bird song-sparrow and the
blackbird
red wing
blue bird song-sparrow and the
blackbird
red wing
bluebird, song-sparrow, and red-wing,
the ice was still
a foot thick on the pond
a foot thick on the pond
a foot thick on the pond
a foot thick on the pond
nearly a foot thick on the pond
nearly a foot thick on the pond
nearly a foot thick on the pond
nearly a foot thick.
As the weather grew warmer it was not sensibly worn away by the water, nor
broken up and floated off as in rivers, but,
became porous &
became porous &
became porous &
became porous &
became porous &
became porous and
though it was completely melted for half a rod in width about the shore,
the middle was merely
became porous and
though it was completely melted for half a rod in width about the shore,
the middle was merely
though it was completely melted for half a rod in width about
the shore, the middle was merely
honey-combed and
imbibed more
saturated with
imbibed more
saturated with
imbibed more
saturated with
imbibed more
saturated with
imbibed more
saturated with
imbibed more
saturated with
imbibed more
saturated with
saturated with
water, so that you could put your foot through it when
7 or 8 inches thick—though it was melted for half a rod around
the shore
7 or 8 inches thick—though it was melted for half a rod around
the shore
7 or 8 inches thick—though it was melted for half a rod around
the shore
7 or 8 inches thick—though it was melted for half a rod around
the shore
7 or 8
6 inches thick, though it was melted for half a rod
around
about the shore
6 inches thick though it was melted for half a rod about
the shore
6 inches thick though it was melted for half a rod about
the shore
six inches thick
but by
tomorrow
the morrow
the next day evening
tomorrow
the morrow
the next day evening
tomorrow
the morrow
the next day evening
tomorrow
the morrow
the next day evening
tomorrow
the morrow
the next day evening
tomorrow
the morrow
the next day evening
tomorrow
the morrow
the next day evening
the next day evening, perhaps,
after a warm rain followed by fog, it
had
had
had
had
had
had
would have
had
would have
would have
wholly disappeared, all gone off with the fog,
spirited away.
Last
The previous year
Last
The previous year
Last
The previous year
Last
The previous year
The previous year
in 45
One year
The previous year
in 45
One year
The previous year
in 45
One year
One year
I went across the middle
only
only
only
only
five days before it
had disappeared
had disappeared
had disappeared
had disappeared
had disappeared
had disappeared
had disappeared
disappeared
entirely. In 1845 Walden
broke up on the 1 of April
in 1846 on the 25 March
broke up on the 1 of April
in 1846 on the 25 March
broke up on the 1 of April
in 1846 on the 25 March
broke up on the 1 of April
in 1846 on the 25 March
broke up on the first of April; in ’46, on the 25 of March; in ’47, on the 8 of April. March 28
’51, Apr. 18 ’52, Mar. 22 ’53
broke up
was clear of ice
was first completely open on the first of April; in ’46,
on the 25 of March; in ’47,
on the 8 of April; in ’51,
on the 28 of March; in ’52,
on the 18 of April; in ’53 on
the 22
23
of March
broke up
was clear of ice
was first completely open on the first of April; in ’46,
on the 25 of March; in ’47,
on the 8 of April; in ’51,
on the 28 of March; in ’52,
on the 18 of April; in ’53 on
the 22
23
of March
was first completely open on the 1st of April; in ’46, the
25th of March; in ’47, the 8th of April; in ’51, the 28th of March; in ’52, the
18th of April; in ’53, the 23d of March; in ’54, about the 7th of April.
Every incident connected with the breaking up of the rivers
and ponds and the settling of the
weather in the spring
weather in the spring
weather in the spring
weather
is particularly interesting to us who
inhabit so bleak a country as new England
inhabit so bleak a country
live in a climate of so great extremes
inhabit so bleak a country
live in a climate of so great extremes
live in a climate of so great extremes.
When the warmer days come,
those
those
they
those
they
they
who dwell near the river hear the ice crack at night with a startling whoop
as loud as artillery,
& in
& in
asif its icy fetters were rent from end to end, & within
& in
asif its icy fetters were rent from end to end, & within
as if its icy fetters were rent from end to end, and
within
a few days see it rapidly going out.
So the alligator comes out of the mud with quakings of the
earth.
So the alligator comes out of the mud with quakings of the
earth.
So the alligator comes out of the mud with quakings of the
earth.
One old man, who has been a close observer of Nature, and
is
is
seems
is
seems
seems
as thoroughly wise in
regard to
regard to
regard to
all her operations as if she had been put upon the stocks when he was a
boy, and he had helped to lay her keel,—who has come to his growth, and can
hardly
learn
acquire
learn
acquire
learn
acquire
acquire
more of natural lore if he should live to the age of Methuselah,
— told me, and I
marvelled
marvelled
was surprised
marvelled
was surprised
was surprised
to hear him express wonder at any of Nature’s operations, for I thought
that there were no secrets between them, that one spring day he took his gun and
boat, and thought
that
that
that
he would have a little sport with the ducks. There was ice still on the
meadows, but it was all gone out of the
river, and he dropped down without obstruction from Sudbury,
where he lived, to Fair Haven Pond, which he found,
unexpectedly,
was covered for the most part
was covered for the most part
was covered for the most part
was covered for the most part
was covered for the most part
was covered for the most part
was covered for the most part
covered for the most part
with a firm field of ice. It was a
very warm spring day
very warm spring day
very warm spring day
very warm spring day
very warm spring day
warm spring day
warm spring day
warm day,
and he was
astonished
surprised
astonished
surprised
astonished
surprised
astonished
surprised
astonished
surprised
astonished
surprised
astonished
surprised
surprised
to see
such
such
such
such
such
such
so great
such
so great
so great
a body of ice remaining. Not seeing any ducks, he hid his boat on the
north or
north or
north or
north or
north or
north or
north or
north or
back side of an island in the pond, and then concealed himself in the
bushes on the south side, to await them. The ice was melted
out
out
out
out
out
out
for
out
for
for
three or four rods from the shore, and there was a smooth and warm sheet of
water, with a muddy bottom, such as the ducks love, within, and he thought it
likely that some would be along pretty soon. After he had lain still there about
an hour he
suddenly heard
suddenly heard
suddenly heard
suddenly heard
suddenly heard
suddenly heard
suddenly heard
heard
a low and seemingly very distant sound, but singularly grand and
impressive,
and unlike anything he had ever heard before
and unlike anything he had ever heard before
and unlike anything he had ever heard before
and unlike anything he had ever heard before
and unlike anything he had ever heard before
and unlike anything he had ever heard before
and unlike anything he had ever heard before
unlike any thing he had ever heard,
gradually swelling and increasing as if it would have a universal and
memorable ending, a sullen rush and roar, which seemed to him all at once like the
sound of a vast body of fowl coming in to settle there, and, seizing his gun, he
started up
with excitement and found
in haste & excited but he found to his
surprise
with excitement and found
in haste & excited but he found to his
surprise
with excitement and found
in haste & excited but he found to his
surprise
with excitement and found
in haste & excited but he found to his
surprise
with excitement and found
in haste & excited but he found to his
surprise
with excitement and found
in haste & excited but he found to his
surprise
with excitement and found
in haste & excited but he found to his
surprise
in haste and excited; but he found, to his surprise,
that the whole body of the ice had started while he lay there, and drifted
in to the shore, and the sound he had heard was made by its edge grating on the
shore,—
and at first gently nibbling and crumbling off—and
but
and at first gently nibbling and crumbling off—and
but
and at first gently nibbling and crumbling off—and
but
and at first gently nibbling and crumbling off—and
but
and at first gently nibbling and crumbling off—and
but
at first gently nibbling as it were and crumbling
off, but
at first gently nibbling as it were and crumbling
off, but
at first gently nibbled and crumbled off, but
at length heaving up and scattering its wrecks along the island to a
considerable height before it
because still and silent again
came to a stand-still
because still and silent again
came to a stand-still
because still and silent again
came to a stand-still
because still and silent again
came to a stand-still
because still and silent again
came to a stand-still
because still and silent again
came to a stand-still
because still and silent again
came to a stand-still
came to a stand still.
At length the sun’s rays have attained the right angle, and warm winds blow
up mist and rain and melt the snow banks, and the sun dispersing the mist smiles on
a
checkered landscape of russet and white smoking with incense, through which the
traveller picks his way from islet to islet, cheered by the music of a
myriad
myriad
myriad
myriad
myriad
myriad
myriad
thousand
tinkling rills and rivulets whose veins are filled with the blood of winter
which they are bearing
off.—As I go back and forth over the railroad through the deep
cut I have seen where the clayey sand like lava had flowed down when
it thawed and as it streamed it assumed the forms of vegetation, of vines and
stout pulpy leaves—unaccountably interesting and beautiful—which methinks I
have seen imitated somewhere in bronze—as if its course were so to speak a
diagonal between fluids & solids—and it were hesitating whether to stream
in to a river, or into vegetation—for vegetation too is such a stream as a
river, only of slower current
off.—As I go back and forth over the railroad through the deep
cut I have seen where the clayey sand like lava had flowed down when
it thawed and as it streamed it assumed the forms of vegetation, of vines and
stout pulpy leaves—unaccountably interesting and beautiful—which methinks I
have seen imitated somewhere in bronze—as if its course were so to speak a
diagonal between fluids & solids—and it were hesitating whether to stream
in to a river, or into vegetation—for vegetation too is such a stream as a
river, only of slower current
off.—As I go back and forth over the railroad through the deep
cut I have seen where the clayey sand like lava had flowed down when
it thawed and as it streamed it assumed the forms of vegetation, of vines and
stout pulpy leaves—unaccountably interesting and beautiful—which methinks I
have seen imitated somewhere in bronze—as if its course were so to speak a
diagonal between fluids & solids—and it were hesitating whether to stream
in to a river, or into vegetation—for vegetation too is such a stream as a
river, only of slower current
off.—As I go back and forth over the railroad through the deep
cut I have seen where the clayey sand like lava had flowed down when
it thawed and as it streamed it assumed the forms of vegetation, of vines and
stout pulpy leaves—unaccountably interesting and beautiful—which methinks I
have seen imitated somewhere in bronze—as if its course were so to speak a
diagonal between fluids & solids—and it were hesitating whether to stream
in to a river, or into vegetation—for vegetation too is such a stream as a
river, only of slower current
off.—As I go back and forth over the railroad through the deep
cut I have seen where the clayey sand like lava had flowed down when
it thawed and as it streamed it assumed the forms of vegetation, of vines and
stout pulpy leaves—unaccountably interesting and beautiful—which methinks I
have seen imitated somewhere in bronze—as if its course were so to speak a
diagonal between fluids & solids—and it were hesitating whether to stream
in to a river, or into vegetation—for vegetation too is such a stream as a
river, only of slower current
off.—As I go back and forth over the railroad through the deep
cut I have seen where the clayey sand like lava had flowed down when
it thawed and as it streamed it assumed the forms of vegetation, of vines and
stout pulpy leaves—unaccountably interesting and beautiful—which methinks I
have seen imitated somewhere in bronze—as if its course were so to speak a
diagonal between fluids & solids—and it were hesitating whether to stream
in to a river, or into vegetation—for vegetation too is such a stream as a
river, only of slower current
off.—As I go back and forth over the railroad through the deep
cut I have seen where the clayey sand like lava had flowed down when
it thawed and as it streamed it assumed the forms of vegetation, of vines and
stout pulpy leaves—unaccountably interesting and beautiful—which methinks I
have seen imitated somewhere in bronze—as if its course were so to speak a
diagonal between fluids & solids—and it were hesitating whether to stream
in to a river, or into vegetation—for vegetation too is such a stream as a
river, only of slower current
off.
Few phenomena gave me more delight than to observe the forms which thawing
clay & sand & clay
assume in the spring
assumed
clay & sand & clay
assume in the spring
assumed
sand and clay assume
in flowing down the sides of a deep cut on the railroad
through
which I passed on my way to the village,
This phenomenon is
a phenomenon
This phenomenon is
a phenomenon
a phenomenon
not very common on so large
and perfect a scale as here
there
but
though
and perfect a scale as here
there
but
though
a scale, though
the number of freshly exposed banks of the right material must have been
greatly multiplied since railroads were
built
invented
built
invented
invented.
The material was sand of every degree of fineness and of various rich
colors, commonly mixed with a little clay. This part of the cut is
about ¼ of a mile long, running north & south, and 30 or
12 to 40 feet deep, and in several places an impure clay occurs
Though there was clay in the cut the material was commonly sand, of
every degree of fineness & of various rich colors without any apparent
mixture of clay.
fineness and of various rich colors, without any apparent
mixture of clay
apparently more or less mixed with clay
a little clay mixed with it
commonly mixed with a little clay
The material was sand of every degree of fineness and of
various rich colors, commonly mixed with a little clay.
When the frost comes
out of the ground
out of the ground
out
in the spring, and even in a
warm thawing
warm thawing
thawing
day in the winter, the sand
and clay begin
begins
and clay begin
begins
begins
to flow down
the slope
these slopes
These
the slopes
the slopes
like lava, sometimes bursting out through the snow and overflowing it where no
sand was to be seen
before.
before.
before.
Innumerable little streams
& ripples overflow
overlap
& ripples overlap
overlap
and interlace one with another, exhibiting a sort of hybrid product, which
obeys half way the law of currents, and half way that of
vegetation. resulting in a grotesque or mythological vegetation,
whose forms we see imitated in bronze, as if the workers in bronze
had got their patterns here. Sometimes the material is bluish clay, sometimes
clay mixed with reddish sand, but oftenest sand, of every degree of fineness
& of various rich colors without any apparent
mixture of clay. For
vegetation. resulting in a grotesque or mythological vegetation,
whose forms we see imitated in bronze, as if the workers in bronze
had got their patterns here. Sometimes the material is bluish clay, sometimes
clay mixed with reddish sand, but oftenest sand, of every degree of fineness
& of various rich colors without any apparent
mixture of clay. For
vegetation.
As it flows it takes the forms of
vines & pulpy
sappy leaves —of coral, of leopards’ paws
and the feet of antediluvian birds
birds’ feet of brains or lungs or bowels, and
excrements of all kinds
sappy leaves or vines & sappy leaves
sappy leaves or vines,
making heaps of pulpy
sprays overlying each other
sprays overlying each other
sprays
a foot or more in depth, and resembling, as you look down on them, the
laciniated, lobed, and imbricated thalluses of some lichens;
or you are reminded of coral, of leopards paws of birds
feet, of brains or lungs or bowels & excrements of all kinds. It is a
grotesque or mythological vegetation in short whose forms we see imitated in
bronze
or you are reminded of coral, of leopards paws of
or birds feet, or brains or lungs or bowels & excrements of all
kinds. It is a truly
grotesque
or mythological vegetation, in short, whose forms
and color we see imitated in bronze
or you are reminded of coral, of leopards’ paws or birds’
feet, of brains or lungs or bowels, and excrements of all kinds. It is a truly
grotesque
vegetation, whose forms and color we see imitated in bronze,
a sort of architectural foliage more ancient and typical than acanthus,
chiccory, ivy, vine, or any vegetable leaves;
a sort of architectural foliage more ancient and typical than
acanthus, chiccory, ivy, vine, or any vegetable leaves;
destined perhaps, under some circumstances, to become a puzzle to future
geologists. The
whole
whole
whole
cut impressed me as if it were a cave with its stalactites laid open to the
light, these forms being in the cavernous & cyclopean style
of the mind of the earth
light , these forms being in a cavernous & cyclopean
style
light. The various shades of the sand are singularly rich and
agreeable, embracing the different iron colors, brown, gray, yellowish, and
reddish.
When the flowing mass reaches the drain at the foot of the bank it spreads out
flatter into
sands or strands —(vasa—vagues or sandbars, like those
formed at the mouths of rivers)
sands or
strands
strands,
the separate streams losing their semi-cylindrical form and gradually
becoming
more & more
more & more
more
flat and broad, running together as they are more moist, till they form an
almost flat
sand
,
still
still
variously and beautifully shaded, but in which you can
still trace
still trace
trace
the original forms of vegetation; till at length, in the water itself, they
are
lost in the ripple marks on the bottom—and converted into vasa,
vagues, or sandbars, like those formed at the mouths of rivers
converted into vasa vagues or sandbars,
banks like those formed at
off the mouths of rivers, & the forms of vegetation
are lost in the ripple marks on the bottom
converted into
banks,
like those formed off the mouths of rivers, and the forms of vegetation
are lost in the ripple marks on the bottom.
The whole bank,
which is from twenty to forty feet high,
which is from twenty to forty feet high,
which is from twenty to forty feet high,
is sometimes overlaid with a mass of this kind of foliage, or sandy
rupture, for a quarter of a mile on one or both sides, the produce of one spring
day.
Sometimes it is slightly excited to productions by a rain in
midsummer. This sandy vegetation would not be so remarkable if it did
not spring
What makes this sand foliage so
remarkable is its springing into existence thus suddenly as if
by magic, while to the eye it was all the perfection of the most slowly
formed works of nature and art. Just as I
we should think that God was more alive and
present if I
we should see the trees grow apace; so
Sometimes it is slightly excited to productions by a rain in
midsummer. What makes this sand foliage so remarkable is
its springing into existence thus suddenly
What makes this sand foliage remarkable is its springing
into existence thus suddenly.
When I see on the one side the inert bank,—
for the sun acts on one side first,
for the sun acts on one side first,
for the sun acts on one side first,
— and on the other this luxuriant foliage, the creation of an hour, I am
affected as if in a peculiar sense I stood in the laboratory of
an artist. That power that made the world & me is
the artist who made the world & me had come to
where he was
an artist. That power that made the world & me is
the artist who made the world & me had come to
where he was
the Artist who made the world and me,—had come to where he
was
still at work, sporting on this bank, and with excess of energy strewing
his fresh designs about.
I feel as if I were nearer to the vitals of the globe, for
this sandy overflow is something such a foliaceous mass as the vitals of the
animal body.
You find
thus
thus
thus
in the very sands an anticipation of the vegetable leaf. No wonder that the
earth expresses itself outwardly in leaves, it
so labors with the idea thus
so labors with the idea thus
so labors with the idea
inwardly. The atoms have already learned this law, and are pregnant
with
with
by
it. The overhanging leaf sees here its prototype.
Internally
, whether in the globe or animal body, it is a moist thick
lobe
,
a word especially applicable to the liver and lungs and the
leaves
of fat (
γείβω
, labor, lapsus
, to flow or slip downward, a
lapsing;
γοβος
, globus, lobe, globe; also lap, flap, and many
other words,)
externally
a dry thin
leaf
, even as the
f
and
v
are a pressed and dried
b
. The radicals
of lobe are
lb
, the soft mass of the
b
(single lobed, or B, double lobed,) with the liquid
l
behind it pressing it forward. In globe,
glb
, the guttural
g
adds to the meaning the capacity of the throat. The feathers and wings of birds
are still drier and thinner leaves. Thus,
also,
also,
also,
you pass from the lumpish grub in the earth to the airy and fluttering
butterfly. The very globe continually transcends
and translates
itself, and becomes winged in its orbit. Even ice begins with delicate
crystal leaves, as if it had flowed into moulds which the fronds of water plants
have impressed on the watery mirror. The whole tree itself is but one leaf, and
rivers are still vaster leaves whose pulp is intervening earth, and towns and
cities are the ova of insects in their axils.
When the sun withdraws the sand ceases to flow, but in the morning the
streams will start once more and branch and branch again into a myriad of others.
You may
You may
You
here see perchance how blood vessels are formed. If you look closely you
will observe
will observe
observe
that first there pushes forward from the thawing mass a stream of softened
sand with a drop-like point, like the ball of the finger, feeling its way slowly and
blindly downward, until at last with more heat and moisture, as the sun gets higher,
the most fluid portion, in its effort to obey the law to which the most inert also
yields, separates from the latter and forms for itself a
meandering
meandering
channel or artery within that,
But when the sun dries the upper surface of this artery, it falls in and
reveals
in which is seen
in which is seen
a little silvery stream glancing like lightning
from mass to mass, from
from mass to mass, from
from
one stage of pulpy leaves or branches to another, and
is ever
is ever
ever
and anon swallowed up in the sand.
It is wonderful how rapidly yet perfectly the sand organizes itself as it
flows, using the best material its mass affords to form the sharp edges of
its channel. It is wonderful how rapidly and
yet perfectly it
the sand organizes itself as it flows, using the best material its
mass affords to form the sharp edges of its channel
It is wonderful how rapidly yet perfectly the sand organizes
itself as it flows, using the best material its mass affords to form the sharp
edges of its channel.
Such are the sources of all rivers. So perhaps
the river channels are the remains of hollow arteries, whose upper halves have
fallen in, being exposed to the sun—& what indeed are these very veins but
rivulets, the natural sources of all rivers? In the winter, when the sun shines
more obliquely, and nature to some extent retakes her progeny into her womb, is
not the mightiest river bridged over as at first, flowing concealed as in an
artery under the surface, until the sun destroys its upper side? And even in
summer is there not an effort partially to bridge over again this exposed and
naked vein with a thin pellicle of pads? The home of waters is within the earth
and rivers are but the streams of perspiration.
Such are the sources of all rivers
Such are the sources of rivers.
In the silicious matter which the water deposits is perhaps the bony system,
and in the still finer soil and organic matter the fleshy fibre or cellular tissue.
What is man but a mass of thawing clay?
The ball of
the human finger is but a drop congealed. The fingers and toes flow to their extent
from the thawing mass of the
body. How short and feeble are our roots; how uncongenial is our
sky! We extend our arms and legs in vain
body. How short and feeble are our roots; how uncongenial is our
sky! We extend our arms and legs in vain
body.
Who knows what the human body would expand and flow out to under a more genial
heaven—stretched on a bank in paradise. Have we not unsatisfied
instincts? The sand flowing downward runs together & forms masses and
conglomerations, but in trees a different material flowing upward disperses
itself more finely, and grows more freely and unimpeded, open & airy
heaven—stretched on a bank in paradise. Have we not unsatisfied
instincts? The sand flowing downward runs together & forms masses and
conglomerations, but in trees a different material flowing upward disperses
itself more finely, and grows more freely and unimpeded, open & airy
heaven?
Is not the hand a spreading
palm
leaf with its lobes and veins? The ear may be regarded,
fancifully,
as a lichen,
umbilicaria
, on the side of the head, with its lobe or
drop , to which is often hung an additional metallic
drop
drop , to which is often hung an additional metallic
drop
drop.
The lip (
labium
, from
labor
(?)) laps or lapses from the sides of the cavernous mouth. The nose is a
manifest congealed drop or
stalactite on the front of the face
stalactite on the front of the face
stalactite.
The chin is a still larger drop, the confluent dripping of the
face.
The chin is a still larger drop, the confluent dripping of the
face.
The chin is a still larger drop, the confluent dripping of the
face.
The cheeks are a
perfect slide or avalanche
perfect slide or avalanche
slide
from the brows into the valley of the face, opposed and diffused by the
cheek
bones. The whole face is a continent broad above, and
narrow below, to which the chin is a Cape of Good Hope
bones. The whole face is a continent broad above, and
narrow below, to which the chin is a Cape of Good Hope
bones.
Each rounded lobe of the
vegetable leaf
vegetable leaf
vegetable leaf, too,
is a thick and now loitering drop, larger or smaller; the lobes
are in fact
are in fact
are
the fingers of the leaf; and as many lobes as it has, in so many directions it
inclines
tends
inclines
tends
tends
to flow, and more
genial heat or other
genial heat or other
heat or other genial
influences would have caused it to flow yet
further. The hand is but a spreading palm leaf with its
lobes and veins. What is a river with all its branches but a leaf
divested of its pulp, unless its pulp is intervening earth, forests &
fields, and the towns & cities are the nests or ova of insects in the axils
of its veins—What is the river but a tree, for the
a leaf contains the tree—an oak or pine, and its leaves perchance
are lakes and meadows innumerable, and the springs which feed it
further. The hand is but a spreading palm leaf with its
lobes and veins. What is a river with all its branches but a leaf
divested of its pulp, unless its pulp is intervening earth, forests &
fields, and the towns & cities are the nests or ova of insects in the axils
of its veins—What is the river but a tree, for the
a leaf contains the tree—an oak or pine, and its leaves perchance
are lakes and meadows innumerable, and the springs which feed it
farther.
Thus it seemed that this one hillside
contained the epitome
contained the epitome
illustrated the principle
illustrated the principle
of all the operations of Nature. The Maker of this earth but patented a
leaf.
That
This may be the cipher upon our shields. But why this particular
form?
leaf.
That
This may be the cipher upon our shields. But why this particular
form?
leaf.
What Champollion
shall
will
shall
will
will
decipher this hieroglyphic for us, that we may turn over a new leaf at
last? The globe is a worthier place to live on for this
slumbering life that may awake, that already partially awakens
last? The globe is a worthier place to live on for this
slumbering life that may awake, that already partially awakens
last?
This phenomenon is more
cheering
cheering
exhilarating
exhilarating
to me than the
fertility and luxuriance
fertility & luxuriance & fertility
luxuriance and fertility
of vineyards.
To be sure
To be sure
True
True,
it is somewhat excrementitious in its character, and there is no end to the
heaps of liver lights
and bowels,
as if the globe were turned wrong
side
outwards
outwards
outward;
but this
proves
proves
suggests
suggests
at least that Nature has some bowels, and there again is mother of
humanity.
This is the frost coming out of the ground; this is
Spring. It precedes the green and flowery spring, as mythology precedes
regular poetry.
This is the frost coming out of the ground; this is
Spring. It precedes the green and flowery spring, as mythology precedes
regular poetry.
This is the frost coming out of the ground; this is Spring.
It precedes the green and flowery spring, as mythology precedes regular
poetry.
I know of nothing more purgative of winter fumes and indigestions.
It convinces me that
r
Revision note: G1: Nature
Nature
Earth
Earth
is still in her swaddling clothes,
and
stretches forth baby fingers on every side. Fresh curls spring from the baldest
brow. There is nothing inorganic.
r
Revision note: G1: The earth is
These foliaceous heaps lie along the bank like the slag of a furnace,
showing that Nature is "in full blast" within. The earth is
not a graveyard full of skeletons, but a granary full of seeds. It
is
These foliaceous heaps lie along the bank like the slag of
a furnace, showing that Nature is "in full blast" within. The earth is
not a mere fragment of dead history,
strata upon strata
stratum upon stratum
like the leaves of a book, to be studied by geologists and antiquaries
r
Revision note: G1:
merely
chiefly
chiefly,
but living poetry like the leaves of a tree,
promising flowers & fruit
which precede flowers and fruit,
— not a fossil earth, but a living
r
Revision note: G1: specimen of an earth
specimen of an earth
earth;
r
Revision note: G1:
compared with whose great central life all animal and
vegetable life is merely parasitic. Its throes will heave our exuviæ from
their graves.
You may melt your metals and cast them into the most beautiful moulds you
can; they will never excite me like the forms which this molten earth flows out
into.
And Not only the earth
it
And not only it,
but the institutions upon it, are plastic like
r
Revision note: G1:
potter’s clay in the hands of the artist. These florid heaps lie
along the bank like the slag of a furnace, showing that nature is in full
blast within; but there is no admittance except on business. Ye dead &
alive preachers, ye have no business here, Ye will enter it only as your
tomb, to be melted over again
Clay in the hands of the potter. These foliaceous heaps
lie along the bank like the slag of a furnace, showing that nature is "in
full blast" within
clay in the hands of the potter.
Thus
Ere long not only on these banks but on every hill
& plain & in every hollow
Thus
Ere long not only on these banks but on every hill
& plain & in every hollow
Ere long, not only on these banks, but on every hill and plain
and in every hollow,
the frost comes out of the ground like a dormant quadruped from its burrow,
and seeks the sea with music,
like the birds—or visits
migrates to
like the birds, or migrates to
or migrates to
other climes in clouds. Thaw with his gentle persuasion is more powerful than
Thor
with
his hammer. The one melts, the other but breaks in pieces.
But we must not let the winter go so easily. When the ground is
completely
partially
But we must not let the winter go so easily. When the ground is
completely
partially
But we must not let the winter go so easily. When the ground is
completely
partially
But we must not let the winter go so easily. When the ground is
completely
partially
But we must not let the winter go so easily. When the ground is
completely
partially
When the ground is
was partially
When the ground is
was partially
When the ground was partially
bare of snow, and a few warm days
have dried its surface here and
there it is
have dried its surface here and
there it is
have dried its surface here and
there it is
have dried its surface here and
there it is
have dried its surface here and
there it is
have partially
had dried its surface here and there
somewhat, it is
was
have partially
had dried its surface here and there
somewhat, it is
was
had dried its surface somewhat, it was
pleasant to compare the
faint
first
faint
first
faint
first
faint
first
faint
first
faint
first
faint
first
first
tender signs of the infant year just peeping forth with the stately beauty of
the withered vegetation which
has
has
has
has
has
has
had
has
had
had
withstood the winter,—
life-everlasting, asters, goldenrods & graceful wild grasses whose
winter is more stately than their summer even, as if not till then their
beauty was ripe—the various thistles
sedges and other strong stemmed plants which have
not even yet sown their seeds—and graceful reeds and rushes
whose winter is more gay and stately than their summer—as if not till then
was their beauty ripe.—Wild oats perchance and life-everlasting whose autumn
has not arrived
cotton grass, cat-tail, mulleins, hardhack,
meadow-sweet &c.
life-everlasting, asters, goldenrods & graceful wild grasses whose
winter is more stately than their summer even, as if not till then their
beauty was ripe—the various thistles
sedges and other strong stemmed plants which have
not even yet sown their seeds—and graceful reeds and rushes
whose winter is more gay and stately than their summer—as if not till then
was their beauty ripe.—Wild oats perchance and life-everlasting whose autumn
has not arrived
cotton grass, cat-tail, mulleins, hardhack,
meadow-sweet &c.
life-everlasting, asters, goldenrods & graceful wild grasses whose
winter is more stately than their summer even, as if not till then their
beauty was ripe—the various thistles
sedges and other strong stemmed plants which have
not even yet sown their seeds—and graceful reeds and rushes
whose winter is more gay and stately than their summer—as if not till then
was their beauty ripe.—Wild oats perchance and life-everlasting whose autumn
has not arrived
cotton grass, cat-tail, mulleins, hardhack,
meadow-sweet &c.
life-everlasting, asters, goldenrods & graceful wild grasses whose
winter is more stately than their summer even, as if not till then their
beauty was ripe—the various thistles
sedges and other strong stemmed plants which have
not even yet sown their seeds—and graceful reeds and rushes
whose winter is more gay and stately than their summer—as if not till then
was their beauty ripe.—Wild oats perchance and life-everlasting whose autumn
has not arrived
cotton grass, cat-tail, mulleins, hardhack,
meadow-sweet &c.
life-everlasting, asters, goldenrods & graceful wild grasses whose
winter is more stately than their summer even, as if not till then their
beauty was ripe—the various thistles
sedges and other strong stemmed plants which have
not even yet sown their seeds—and graceful reeds and rushes
whose winter is more gay and stately than their summer—as if not till then
was their beauty ripe.—Wild oats perchance and life-everlasting whose autumn
has not arrived
cotton grass, cat-tail, mulleins, hardhack,
meadow-sweet &c.
life everlasting, asters and goldenrods and graceful wild
grasses whose winter is more stately than their summer even, as if not
till then their beauty was ripe
their beauty was not ripe till then; the various sedges & other
strong-stemmed plants, which have
had not yet sown all their seeds—even
cotton-grass—cat-tails—mulleins—hardhack—meadow-sweet &c.
life everlasting, asters, goldenrods, inweeds and graceful wild grasses, whose
winter is more stately than their
more obvious and interesting frequently than in summer even, as if
their beauty was not ripe till then; the various sedges and other strong
stemmed plants which had not yet sown all their seeds even cotton
grass, cat-tails, mulleins, johnswort, hard-hack, meadow-sweet,
&c.
& other strong-stemmed plants
life-everlasting, golden-rods, pinweeds, and graceful wild
grasses, more obvious and interesting frequently than in summer even, as if
their beauty was not ripe till then; even cotton-grass, cat-tails, mulleins,
johnswort, hard-hack, meadow-sweet, and other strong stemmed plants,
those unexhausted
granaries of winter, whose seeds
granaries of winter, whose seeds
granaries of winter, whose seeds
granaries of winter, whose seeds
granaries of winter, whose seeds
granaries of winter which
granaries of winter which
granaries which
entertain the earliest birds,— decent weeds,
at least,
which widowed Nature wears.
I never tire of admiring their arching drooping and sheaflike
tops. They bring
I never tire of admiring their arching drooping and sheaflike
tops. They bring
I never tire of admiring their arching drooping and sheaflike
tops. They bring
I never tire of admiring their arching drooping and sheaflike
tops. They bring
I never tire of admiring their arching drooping and sheaflike
tops. They bring
I never tire of admiring the drooping sheaf-like top of the wool
grass; it brings
I never tire of admiring the drooping
am particularly attracted by the arching & sheaf-like top of the
wool-grass; it brings
I am particularly attracted by the arching and sheaf-like top
of the wool-grass; it brings
back the summer to our winter memories, and
are
are
are
are
are
are
are
is
among the forms which art loves to
perpetuate
perpetuate
perpetuate
perpetuate
perpetuate
perpetuate
copy
perpetuate
copy
copy,
and which, in the vegetable kingdom, have the same relation to types
already in the mind of man that astronomy has. & which in the
vegetable kingdom have the same relation to types already existing in the mind
of man that astronomy has
and which in the vegetable kingdom have the same relation to
types already existing in the mind of man that astronomy has
and which, in the vegetable kingdom, have the same relation to
types already in the mind of man that astronomy has.
They are
They are
They are
They are
They are
They are
They are
It is
an antique style, older than Greek or
Egyptian—a lighter and more graceful Ionic—a richer Corinthian—a
simpler Doric—a more various Composite. The beauty of the drooping and
sheaf-like head of the rush all men have admired in all ages—and it must have
some such near and unaccountable relation to human life, as astronomy has to
those laws and figures which first existed in the mind of man
Egyptian—a lighter and more graceful Ionic—a richer Corinthian—a
simpler Doric—a more various Composite. The beauty of the drooping and
sheaf-like head of the rush all men have admired in all ages—and it must have
some such near and unaccountable relation to human life, as astronomy has to
those laws and figures which first existed in the mind of man
Egyptian—a lighter and more graceful Ionic—a richer Corinthian—a
simpler Doric—a more various Composite. The beauty of the drooping and
sheaf-like head of the rush all men have admired in all ages—and it must have
some such near and unaccountable relation to human life, as astronomy has to
those laws and figures which first existed in the mind of man
Egyptian—a lighter and more graceful Ionic—a richer Corinthian—a
simpler Doric—a more various Composite. The beauty of the drooping and
sheaf-like head of the rush all men have admired in all ages—and it must have
some such near and unaccountable relation to human life, as astronomy has to
those laws and figures which first existed in the mind of man
Egyptian—a lighter and more graceful Ionic—a richer Corinthian—a
simpler Doric—a more various Composite. The beauty of the drooping and
sheaf-like head of the rush all men have admired in all ages—and it must have
some such near and unaccountable relation to human life, as astronomy has to
those laws and figures which first existed in the mind of man
Egyptian—a lighter and more graceful Ionic, a simpler Doric, a
richer Corinthian, a more various Composite
Egyptian—a lighter and more graceful Ionic, a simpler Doric, a
richer Corinthian, a more various Composite
Egyptian.
All the
All the
All the
All the
All the
All
All
How many of
Many of
the phenomena of Winter are suggestive of an inexpressible tenderness and
fragile delicacy. We are accustomed to hear this king
almost tyrant described as rude and boisterous
almost tyrant described as rude and boisterous
almost tyrant described as rude and boisterous
almost tyrant described as rude and boisterous
almost tyrant described as rude and boisterous
almost tyrant described as rude and boisterous
almost tyrant described as rude and boisterous
described as a rude and boisterous tyrant;
but with the gentleness of a lover he adorns the tresses of Summer.
Sometimes at the approach of
spring they
Sometimes at the approach of
spring they
Sometimes at the approach of
spring they
Sometimes at the approach of
spring they
Sometimes at the approach of
spring they
Sometimes at the approach of spring they
Sometimes at the approach of spring they
At the approach of spring the red-squirrels
got under my house, two at a time, directly under my feet as I sat
reading or
reading or
reading or
reading or
reading or
reading or
reading or
reading or
writing, and kept up the queerest chuckling and chirruping and vocal
pirouetting and gurgling sounds that ever were heard; and when I stamped they only
chirruped the louder, as if past all fear and respect in their mad pranks, defying
humanity to stop them. No, you don’t—
Chickaree! Chickaree
Chickaree! Chickaree
Chickaree! Chickaree
Chickaree! Chickaree
Chickaree! Chickaree
Chickaree! Chickaree
Chickaree! Chickaree
chickaree—chickaree.
They were wholly deaf to my arguments, or failed to perceive their force, and
fell into a strain of invective that was irresistible.
The first sparrow of spring! The year beginning with younger hope than ever!
The faint silvery warblings heard over the
partially
bare and moist fields from the
song-sparrow—the blue-bird
song-sparrow—the blue-bird
song-sparrow—the blue-bird
song-sparrow—the blue-bird
song-sparrow, the blue-bird, the song-sparrow
song-sparrow, the blue-bird, the song-sparrow
song-sparrow, the blue-bird, the song-sparrow
blue-bird, the song-sparrow,
and the red-wing, as if the last flakes of winter tinkled as they fell! What
at such a time are histories, chronologies, traditions, and all written revelations?
The brooks sing carols and glees to the spring. The marsh-hawk sailing low over the
meadow is already seeking the first slimy life that awakes. The
sough
sough
sough
sough
sough sinking sound
sough sinking sound
sough sinking sound
sinking sound
of melting snow is heard in all
dells and on all hill sides, and by the running river
banks
dells and on all hill sides, and by the running river
banks
dells and on all hill sides, and by the running river
banks
dells and on all hill sides, and by the running river
banks
dells and on all hill sides, and by the running river
banks
dells and on all hill sides, and by the running river
banks
dells and on all hill sides, and by the running river
banks
dells,
and the ice dissolves apace in
all ponds. The earth sends forth an inward heat to greet the
returning sun—not yellow like the sun
all ponds. The earth sends forth an inward heat to greet the
returning sun—not yellow like the sun
all ponds. The earth sends forth an inward heat to greet the
returning sun—not yellow like the sun
all ponds. The earth sends forth an inward heat to greet the
returning sun—not yellow like the sun
all ponds As if the earth sent forth an inward heat to
greet the returning sun, the grass flames up on the hillsides like a
spring fire—et primitus orbitur herba imbribus primoribus evocata. As if
the earth sent forth an inward heat to greet the returning sun, not
yellow
all ponds As if the earth sent forth an inward heat to
greet the returning sun, the grass flames up on the hillsides like a
spring fire—et primitus orbitur herba imbribus primoribus evocata. As if
the earth sent forth an inward heat to greet the returning sun, not
yellow
all ponds As if the earth sent forth an inward heat to
greet the returning sun, the grass flames up on the hillsides like a
spring fire—et primitus orbitur herba imbribus primoribus evocata. As if
the earth sent forth an inward heat to greet the returning sun, not
yellow
the ponds. The grass flames up on the hillsides like a spring
fire,— "et primitus oritur herba imbribus primoribus evocata," —as if the earth sent forth an inward heat
to greet the returning sun; not yellow
but green is the color of its flame;—
Grass
It is the symbol of perpetual youth its blade
like a long green ribbon —longer than was ever woven in the factories of
men— streaming
Grass
It is the symbol of perpetual youth its blade
like a long green ribbon —longer than was ever woven in the factories of
men— streaming
Grass
It is the symbol of perpetual youth its blade
like a long green ribbon —longer than was ever woven in the factories of
men— streaming
Grass
It is the symbol of perpetual youth its blade
like a long green ribbon —longer than was ever woven in the factories of
men— streaming
the symbol of perpetual youth, its blade
the grass-blade, like a green ribbon streaming
the symbol of perpetual youth, its blade
the grass-blade, like a green ribbon streaming
the symbol of perpetual youth, its blade
the grass-blade, like a green ribbon streaming
the symbol of perpetual youth, the grass-blade, like a green
ribbon, streams
from the sod into the summer, checked indeed by the frost, but anon pushing on
again, lifting its
last year’s spear of withered hay
last year’s spear of withered hay
last year’s spear of withered hay
last year’s spear of withered hay
last year’s spear of withered hay
spear of last year’s
last year’s spear of withered hay
spear of last year’s
last year’s spear of withered hay
spear of last year’s
spear of last year’s
hay with the fresh life below. It
is as steady a growth
grows as steadily
is as steady a growth
grows as steadily
is as steady a growth
grows as steadily
is as steady a growth
grows as steadily
is as steady a growth
grows as steadily
is as steady a growth
grows as steadily
is as steady a growth
grows as steadily
grows as steadily
as the rill
which oozes
which oozes
which oozes
which oozes
which oozes
which oozes
which oozes
oozes
out of the ground.
and indeed
and indeed
and indeed
and indeed
indeed
It
indeed
It
indeed
It
It
is almost identical with that, for in the
fertile and growing
fertile and growing
fertile and growing
fertile and growing
fertile and growing
fertile and growing
fertile and growing
growing
days of June, when the rills are dry, the grass blades are their channels, and
from year to year the herds drink at this
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
green stream, and the mower
cuts from this outwelling supply—what their several needs
require
cuts from this outwelling supply—what their several needs
require
cuts from this outwelling supply—what their several needs
require
cuts from this outwelling supply—what their several needs
require
cuts from this outwelling supply what their several needs require
draws from it betimes their winter supply
cuts from this outwelling supply what their several needs require
draws from it betimes their winter supply
cuts from this outwelling supply what their several needs require
draws from it betimes their winter supply
draws from it betimes their winter supply.
So our human life but dies down to
the surface of nature—but
its root—and still puts forth its green blade
still
the surface of nature—but
its root—and still puts forth its green blade
still
the surface of nature—but
its root—and still puts forth its green blade
still
the surface of nature—but
its root—and still puts forth its green blade
still
the surface of nature—but
its root—and still puts forth its green blade
still
the surface of nature—but
its root—and still puts forth its green blade
still
the surface of nature—but
its root—and still puts forth its green blade
still
its root, and still puts forth its green blade
to eternity.
Walden is melting apace.
It has
There is
a canal two rods wide along the northerly
side & the west end
& westerly sides
and westerly sides,
and wider still at the east end. A great field
of ice
has cracked off from the main body.
I hear a song-sparrow singing from the bushes on the shore,—olit, olit, olit,— chip, chip, chip, che char,—che wiss,
wiss, wiss. He
too is helping to crack it.
I hear a song-sparrow singing from the bushes on the
shore,—olit,, olit, olit,— chip, chip, chip, che char,—che wiss, wiss, wiss. He too is helping to crack it.
How handsome the
great sweeping
great sweeping
curves in the edge of the ice, answering somewhat to those of the shore, but
more regular!
The wind blows eastward over the opaque ice which is
It is unusually hard
this spring
It is unusually hard,
owing to the recent severe but transient cold, and all watered or waved like a
palace floor.
Yet
But
the wind slides eastward over its opaque surface in vain, till it reaches the
living surface
of the water
beyond.
It is glorious to
behold the life and joy of
behold
this ribbon of water sparkling in the sun,
it is the bare
the bare
face of the pond full of glee and youth, as if it spoke the joy of the fishes
within it, and of the sands on its
shore, reflecting
shore,
—a silvery sheen as from the scales of a
shiner
leuciscus— as if
leuciscus, as
it were all one active fish. Such is the contrast between
Death & Life— winter and spring. The pond
Walden
winter and spring. Walden
was dead and is alive again.
But
commonly
this spring
this spring
it broke up more
gradually
steadily,
as I have said.
The change from storm and winter to
fair and serene
fair and serene
fair and serene
fair and serene
fair and serene
fair and serene
fair and serene
serene and mild
weather, from dark and sluggish hours to bright and elastic ones, is a
memorable crisis which all things proclaim. It is
seemingly
seemingly
seemingly
seemingly
instantaneous at last. Suddenly an influx of light filled
the house
the house
the house
the house
the
my house
the
my house
the
my house
my house,
though
it is late in the day
the evening was at hand
it is late in the day
the evening was at hand
it is late in the day
the evening was at hand
it is late in the day
the evening was at hand
it is late in the day
the evening was at hand
it is late in the day
the evening was at hand
it is late in the day
the evening was at hand
the evening was at hand,
and the clouds of winter still overhung it,
and the eaves were dripping with sleety rain.
and the eaves were dripping with sleety rain.
and the eaves were dripping with sleety rain.
and the eaves were dripping with sleety rain.
and the eaves were dripping with sleety rain.
and the eaves were dripping with sleety rain.
and the eaves were dripping with sleety rain.
and the eaves were dripping with sleety rain.
I
look out on the pond which was cold grey ice but yesterday—and already the
signs of fair weather were there and it was become a calm & smooth lake,
full of promise as a summer evening sky—seeming to have some intelligence
with distant horizons
see that the pond is already calm & full of hope as on a summer
evening, where was cold grey ice
where yesterday was cold grey ice, lo, there lies the transparent pond
already calm & full of hope
look out on the pond which was cold grey ice but yesterday—and already the
signs of fair weather were there and it was become a calm & smooth lake,
full of promise as a summer evening sky—seeming to have some intelligence
with distant horizons
see that the pond is already calm & full of hope as on a summer
evening, where was cold grey ice
where yesterday was cold grey ice, lo, there lies the transparent pond
already calm & full of hope
look out on the pond which was cold grey ice but yesterday—and already the
signs of fair weather were there and it was become a calm & smooth lake,
full of promise as a summer evening sky—seeming to have some intelligence
with distant horizons
see that the pond is already calm & full of hope as on a summer
evening, where was cold grey ice
where yesterday was cold grey ice, lo, there lies the transparent pond
already calm & full of hope
look out on the pond which was cold grey ice but yesterday—and already the
signs of fair weather were there and it was become a calm & smooth lake,
full of promise as a summer evening sky—seeming to have some intelligence
with distant horizons
see that the pond is already calm & full of hope as on a summer
evening, where was cold grey ice
where yesterday was cold grey ice, lo, there lies the transparent pond
already calm & full of hope
look out on the pond which was cold grey ice but yesterday—and already the
signs of fair weather were there and it was become a calm & smooth lake,
full of promise as a summer evening sky—seeming to have some intelligence
with distant horizons
see that the pond is already calm & full of hope as on a summer
evening, where was cold grey ice
where yesterday was cold grey ice, lo, there lies the transparent pond
already calm & full of hope
look out on the pond which was cold grey ice but yesterday—and already the
signs of fair weather were there and it was become a calm & smooth lake,
full of promise as a summer evening sky—seeming to have some intelligence
with distant horizons
see that the pond is already calm & full of hope as on a summer
evening, where was cold grey ice
where yesterday was cold grey ice, lo, there lies the transparent pond
already calm & full of hope
look out on the pond which was cold grey ice but yesterday—and already the
signs of fair weather were there and it was become a calm & smooth lake,
full of promise as a summer evening sky—seeming to have some intelligence
with distant horizons
see that the pond is already calm & full of hope as on a summer
evening, where was cold grey ice
where yesterday was cold grey ice, lo, there lies the transparent pond
already calm & full of hope
looked out the window, and lo! where yesterday was cold gray
ice there lay the transparent pond already calm and full of hope as in a summer
evening,
as it
And a summer evening sky was already reflected
Reflecting A summer evening sky is reflected
Reflecting A summer evening sky is reflected
Reflecting A summer evening sky is reflected
Reflecting A summer evening sky is reflected
Reflecting A summer evening sky is reflected
Reflecting A summer evening sky is reflected
reflecting a summer evening sky
in its bosom, though none was visible overhead,
as if it had intelligence with distant horizons
as if it had intelligence with distant
some remote horizons
as if it had intelligence with distant
some remote horizons
as if it had intelligence with distant
some remote horizons
as if it had intelligence with distant
some remote horizons
as if it had intelligence with distant
some remote horizons
as if it had intelligence with distant
some remote horizons
as if it had intelligence with some remote horizon.
I heard a robin in the distance, the first I had heard for many a thousand
years, methought,
whose sound has the same meaning it was wont to have—But
where does the minstrel really perch? Who could ever find the trig he sits
on?
whose sound has the same meaning it was wont to have—But
where does the minstrel really perch? Who could ever find the trig he sits
on?
whose sound has the same meaning it was wont to have—But
where does the minstrel really perch? Who could ever find the trig he sits
on?
whose sound has the same meaning it was wont to have—But
where does the minstrel really perch? Who could ever find the trig he sits
on?
whose sound has the same meaning it was wont to have—But
where does the minstrel really perch? Who could ever find the trig he sits
on?
whose sound has the same meaning it was wont to have—But
where does the minstrel really perch? Who could ever find the trig he sits
on?
whose sound has the same meaning it was wont to have—But
where does the minstrel really perch? Who could ever find the trig he sits
on?
whose
note I shall not forget for many a thousand more,—the same
old sound
old song
old song
old song
old
sweet and powerful song
old
sweet and powerful song
old
sweet and powerful song
sweet and powerful song
as of yore. O the evening robin, at the
close
close
close
close
close
close
close
end
of a New England summer day! If I could ever find the twig he sits upon! I
mean
he
; I mean
the twig
. This at least is not the
Turdus
migratorius
.
The green pitch pines & the shrub oaks
The green pitch pines and the shrub-oaks
The green pitch pines and the shrub-oaks
The green pitch pines and the shrub-oaks
The green pitch-pines and the
shrub-oaks
The green pitch-pines and the
shrub-oaks
The green pitch-pines and the
shrub-oaks
The pitch-pines and shrub-oaks
about my house, which had so long drooped,
& cowered all winter —suddenly resumed their several characters looked brighter,
more green & more alive and erect, as if entirely
effectually cleansed & restored by the rain—and fitted once more to express their share of immortal beauty, and make a part of
this world which is called
they call
κόбмοѕ
or beauty
and cowered, suddenly resume their several characters,
looked
look brighter more green and more alive and erect, as if effectually
cleansed and restored by the rain , and fitted once more to express their
share of immortal beauty, and make a part of this world which they call κόбмοѕ or Beauty
and cowered, suddenly resume their several characters,
looked
look brighter more green and more alive and erect, as if effectually
cleansed and restored by the rain , and fitted once more to express their
share of immortal beauty, and make a part of this world which they call κόбмοѕ or Beauty
and cowered, suddenly resume their several characters,
looked
look brighter more green and more alive and erect, as if effectually
cleansed and restored by the rain , and fitted once more to express their
share of immortal beauty, and make a part of this world which they call κόбмοѕ or Beauty
& cowered, suddenly resumed their several characters, looked
brighter more green
greener, & more alive and erect and alive,
as if effectually cleansed and restored by the rain
& cowered, suddenly resumed their several characters, looked
brighter more green
greener, & more alive and erect and alive,
as if effectually cleansed and restored by the rain
& cowered, suddenly resumed their several characters, looked
brighter more green
greener, & more alive and erect and alive,
as if effectually cleansed and restored by the rain
suddenly resumed their several characters, looked brighter,
greener, and more erect and alive, as if effectually cleansed and restored by
the rain.
I knew that it would not rain any more. You may tell by looking at any twig of
the forest,
aye, by looking at your
aye, by looking at your very
aye, by looking at your very
aye, by looking at your very
aye, by looking at your very
aye, by looking at your very
aye, by looking at your very
ay, at your very
wood-pile, whether its winter is past or
not. So opened the spring of 1846
not. So opened the spring of 1846
not. So opened the spring of 1846
not. So opened the spring of 1846
not. So opened the spring of 1846
not. So opened the spring of 1846
not. So opened the spring of 1846
not.
As it grew darker, I was startled by the
clank
clank
clank
clank
clank
clank
clank
honking
of geese flying low over the woods, like weary travellers
late getting in
late getting in
late getting in
late getting in
late getting in late
late getting in late
late getting in late
getting in late
from southern lakes, and indulging at last in unrestrained complaint and
mutual
consolations. As I stood at the
consolations. As I stood at the
my
consolations. As I stood at the
my
consolations. As I stood at the
my
consolation. As I stood
Standing at my
consolation. As I stood
Standing at my
consolation. As I stood
Standing at my
consolation. Standing at my
door, I could hear the rush of their wings;
as
as
when
as
when
as
when
as
when
as
when
as
when
when,
driving toward my house, they suddenly spied my light, and with hushed clamor
wheeled and settled in the pond.
So I came in, and shut the door, and passed my first spring night in the
woods.
So I came in, and shut the door, and passed my first spring night in the
woods.
So I came in, and shut the door, and passed my first spring night in the
woods.
So I came in, and shut the door, and passed my first spring
night in the woods.
In the morning I watched
them from my
them from my
the
them from my
the
them from my
the
them
the geese from the
them
the geese from the
them
the geese from the
the geese from the
door through the mist, sailing in the middle of the pond, fifty rods off, so
large and tumultuous that
the pond seemed
the pond
Walden seemed
the pond
Walden seemed
the pond
Walden seemed
Walden seemed
appeared
Walden seemed
appeared
Walden seemed
appeared
Walden appeared
like an artificial pond for their amusement. But when I
reached stood on
reached stood on
reached stood on
reached stood on
reached stood on
reached stood on
reached stood on
stood on
the shore they at once rose up with a great flapping of wings at the signal of
their commander, and when they had got into rank circled about over my head,
twenty-nine of them, and then steered straight to Canada, with a regular
clank clank
clank clank
honk
clank clank
honk
clank clank
honk
clank clank
honk
clank clank
honk
clank clank
honk
honk
from the
commodore
commodore
commodore
commodore
commodore
leader
commodore
leader
commodore
leader
leader
at intervals, trusting to break their fast in muddier pools. A
compact flock
compact flock
compact flock
compact flock
compact flock
compact flock
compact flock
"plump"
of ducks
also rose up
also rose up
also rose up
also rose up
also rose up
rose up
rose up
rose
at the same time and took the route to the north in the wake of their noisier
cousins.
"Behold how the wave of the sea
Is made smooth by the calm;
Behold how the duck dives,
Behold how the crane travels,
And Titan shines constantly bright.
The shadows of the clouds are moving,
cousins.
"Behold how the wave of the sea
Is made smooth by the calm;
Behold how the duck dives,
Behold how the crane travels,
And Titan shines constantly bright.
The shadows of the clouds are moving,
cousins.
"Behold how the wave of the sea
Is made smooth by the calm;
Behold how the duck dives,
Behold how the crane travels,
And Titan shines constantly bright.
The shadows of the clouds are moving,
cousins.
"Behold how the wave of the sea
Is made smooth by the calm;
Behold how the duck dives,
Behold how the crane travels,
And Titan shines constantly bright.
The shadows of the clouds are moving,
cousins.
"Behold how the wave of the sea
Is made smooth by the calm;
Behold how the duck dives,
Behold how the crane travels,
And Titan shines constantly bright.
The shadows of the clouds are moving,
cousins.
"Behold how the wave of the sea
Is made smooth by the calm;
Behold how the duck dives,
Behold how the crane travels,
And Titan shines constantly bright.
The shadows of the clouds are moving,
cousins.
"Behold how the wave of the sea
Is made smooth by the calm;
Behold how the duck dives,
Behold how the crane travels,
And Titan shines constantly bright.
The shadows of the clouds are moving,
cousins.
For a
week perhaps
week perhaps
week
I heard the circling groping clangor of some solitary goose in the foggy
mornings, seeking its companion,
long since transubstantiated
&
long since transubstantiated
&
and
still peopling the woods with the sound of a larger life than they could
sustain. In April the pigeons were seen again flying express in small flocks, and
in
due time I heard the martins twittering over my clearing, though it had not seemed
that the township contained so many that it could afford me any, and I fancied that
they were peculiarly of the ancient race that dwelt in hollow trees ere white men
came.
The Rhodian Children greeted the swallow with a song, beginning,
Bringing beautiful hours,
"Troops of them carrying about as swallow (χελιδουίξουτες), sang this from door to door, and collected
provisions as return." Does not the martin bring beautiful seasons to
us? Every where
The Rhodian Children greeted the swallow with a song, beginning,
Bringing beautiful hours,
"Troops of them carrying about as swallow (χελιδουίξουτες), sang this from door to door, and collected
provisions as return." Does not the martin bring beautiful seasons to
us? Every where
In almost all climes
the tortoise and the frog are among the precursors and heralds of this season,
and birds fly with song and glancing plumage, and plants spring and bloom, and winds
blow, to correct this slight oscillation of the poles and preserve the equilibrium
of
Nature.
And as
And as
And as
And as
As
every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like
the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos
is in fact in nature
&
is in fact in nature
&
is in fact in nature
&
is in fact in nature
&
and
the realization of the Golden Age.
—
"Eurus ad Auroram, Nabathæaque regna recessit,
Persidaque, et radiis juga subdita matutinis."
"The East-Wind withdrew to Aurora and the Nabathæan kingdom,
And the Persian, and the ridges placed under the morning rays.
***
Man was born. Whether that Artificer of things,
The origin of a better world, made him from the divine seed;
Or the earth, being recent and lately sundered from the high
Ether, retained some seeds of cognate heaven."
A single gentle rain in the spring makes the grass look many
shades greener. We should be fortunate & blessed if we were so sane &
in season, with our robes always tucked up, that we were able & could
afford to live in the present without any definite or recognized object from
day to day like the grass which confesses the influence of the slightest
dew
that falls on it. If we could without be thus always where God & Nature are, and not
live on a tangent to the sphere, for the world is round. As an old poet says
for "Though man proposeth, God disposeth all."
What have we to boast of We prefer the muddy and dusty ruts to the green
expanding plains We make ourselves the very sewers, the cloacae of
nature. I too revive as does the grass after rain. We are never so floundering,
our day is never so fair, but that the sun may come out a little brighter
through mists and we yearn to live after a better fashion
A single gentle rain in the spring makes the grass look many
shades greener. We should be fortunate & blessed if we were so sane &
in season, with our robes always tucked up, that we were able & could
afford to live in the present without any definite or recognized object from
day to day like the grass which confesses the influence of the slightest
dew
that falls on it. If we could without be thus always where God & Nature are, and not
live on a tangent to the sphere, for the world is round. As an old poet says
for "Though man proposeth, God disposeth all."
What have we to boast of We prefer the muddy and dusty ruts to the green
expanding plains We make ourselves the very sewers, the cloacae of
nature. I too revive as does the grass after rain. We are never so floundering,
our day is never so fair, but that the sun may come out a little brighter
through mists and we yearn to live after a better fashion
A single gentle rain in the spring makes the grass look many
shades greener, as
so our prospects brighten on the influx of better
thoughts. We should be blessed if we were so in season, not fallen behind
ourselves, that we could afford to live
lived in the present always, and take
took advantage of every accident that befalls
befell us, like the grass which confesses the
influence of the slightest dew that falls on it; and did not spend our time
for the most part, in making up for the neglect of past
opportunities, which we call doing our duty , and so losing the present
ones. "Though man proposeth, God disposeth all." True he is a very present help in trouble, but the chief trouble
is that we live in the past and in tradition, where he is not. We
loiter in winter while it is already spring , & prefer the muddy &
dusty ruts to the green expanding plains. We make ourselves the very cloacae
of nature
A single gentle rain in the spring makes the grass look many
shades greener, as
so our prospects brighten on the influx of better
thoughts. We should be blessed if we were so in season, not fallen behind
ourselves, that we could afford to live
lived in the present always, and take
took advantage of every accident that befalls
befell us, like the grass which confesses the
influence of the slightest dew that falls on it; and did not spend our time
for the most part, in making up for the neglect of past
opportunities, which we call doing our duty , and so losing the present
ones. "Though man proposeth, God disposeth all." True he is a very present help in trouble, but the chief trouble
is that we live in the past and in tradition, where he is not. We
loiter in winter while it is already spring , & prefer the muddy &
dusty ruts to the green expanding plains. We make ourselves the very cloacae
of nature
A single gentle rain makes the grass many shades greener. So
our prospects brighten on the influx of better thoughts. We should be blessed
if we lived in the present always, and took advantage of every accident that
befell us, like the grass which confesses the influence of the slightest dew
that falls on it; and did not spend our time in atoning for the neglect of past
opportunities, which we call doing our duty. We loiter in winter while it is
already spring.
In a pleasant spring morning all men’s sins are forgiven.
Such a day is a truce to vice.
Such a day is a truce to vice.
Such a day is a truce to vice.
Such a day is a truce to vice.
Such a day is a truce to vice.
While such a sun holds out to burn, the vilest sinner may return.
Through our own recovered innocence we discern the innocence of our neighbors. You
may have known your neighbor yesterday for a
drunkard & a thief
drunkard & a thief
drunkard & a thief
drunkard & a thief
thief, a drunkard, or a sensualist,
and merely pitied or despised him, and despaired of the world; but the sun
shines bright and warm this first spring morning, re-creating the world, and you meet
him
serenely at some
serenely at some
serenely at some
serenely at some
at some serene
work, and see how his exhausted and debauched veins expand with still joy and
bless the new day, feel the spring influence with the innocence of infancy,
and all his faults are forgotten. There is not only an
atmosphere of good will about him, but even a savor of holiness groping
blindly & ineffectually perhaps for expression
blindly & ineffectually perhaps for expression
blindly & ineffectually perhaps for expression
blindly & ineffectually perhaps for expression
for expression, blindly and ineffectually perhaps,
like a new-born instinct, and for a short hour the south hill-side echoes to
no vulgar jest. You see some innocent
fair & tender
fair & tender
fair & tender
fair & tender
fair
shoots preparing to burst from his gnarled rind and try another year’s life,
tender and fresh as the youngest plant. Even he has entered into the joy of his
Lord.
Why the jailer does not leave open his prison doors,—why
the judge does not dismiss his case,—why the preacher does not dismiss his
congregation!
Methinks it must be
It is
Methinks it must be
It is
Methinks it must be
It is
Methinks it must be
It is
It is
because they do not obey the hint which God gives them,
do not
nor
do not
nor
do not
nor
do not
nor
nor
accept the pardon which he freely offers to
all. The judge still sits, though all nature erects
herself.
all. The judge still sits, though all nature erects
herself.
all. The judge still sits, though all nature erects
herself.
all. The judge still sits, though all nature erects
herself.
all.
"A return to goodness produced each day in the tranquil and beneficent breath
of the morning, causes that in respect to the love of virtue and the hatred of vice,
one approaches a little the primitive nature of man, as the sprouts of the forest
which has been felled. In like manner the evil which one does in the interval of a
day prevents the germs of virtues which began to spring up again from developing
themselves and destroys them.
"After the germs of virtue have thus been prevented many times from
developing themselves, then the beneficent breath of evening does not suffice to
preserve them. As soon as the breath of evening does not suffice longer to preserve
them, then the nature of man does not differ much from that of the brute. Men seeing
the nature of this man like that of the brute, think that he has never possessed the
innate faculty of reason. Are those the true and natural sentiments of man?"
"The Golden Age was first created, which without any avenger
Spontaneously without law cherished fidelity and rectitude.
Punishment and fear were not; nor were threatening words read
On suspended brass; nor did the suppliant crowd fear
The words of their judge; but were safe without an avenger.
Not yet the pine felled on its mountains had descended
To the liquid waves that it might see a foreign world,
And mortals knew no shores but their own.
***
There was eternal spring, and placid zephyrs with warm
Blasts soothed the flowers born without seed."
On the 29th of April, as I was fishing from the
banks
bank
banks
bank
banks
bank
banks
bank
banks
bank
banks
bank
banks
bank
bank
of the river near the Nine-Acre-Corner bridge,
standing on
the quaking grass and willow roots, where the muskrats
burrow
lurk
burrow
lurk
burrow
lurk
burrow
lurk
burrow
lurk
burrow
lurk
burrow
lurk
lurk,
I heard a singular rattling
or perhaps shuttle-like sound, not musical but almost like the
rattling
sound, somewhat like that of the
or perhaps shuttle-like sound, not musical but almost like the
rattling
sound, somewhat like that of the
or perhaps shuttle-like sound, not musical but almost like the
rattling
sound, somewhat like that of the
or perhaps shuttle-like sound, not musical but almost like the
rattling
sound, somewhat like that of the
or perhaps shuttle-like sound, not musical but almost like the
rattling
sound, somewhat like that of the
or perhaps shuttle-like sound, not musical but almost like the
rattling
sound, somewhat like that of the
or perhaps shuttle-like sound, not musical but almost like the
rattling
sound, somewhat like that of the
sound, somewhat like that of the
sticks
which boys play with their fingers, when,
looking up, I observed a very slight and graceful hawk,
like a night-hawk, alternately soaring
like a ripple and tumbling a rod or two over and over,
and showing
and showing
and showing
and showing
and showing
and showing
and showing
showing
the underside of its wings, which gleamed like a satin ribbon in the sun,
and was of
or like the pearly color of the
and was of
or like the pearly color of the
and was of
or like the pearly color of the
and was of
or like the pearly color of the
and was of
or like the pearly color of the
and was of
or like the pearly color of the
and was of
or like the pearly color of the
or like the pearly
inside of a shell.
The
This
The
This
The
This
The
This
The
This
The
This
The
This
This
sight reminded me of falconry and what nobleness and poetry
is
are
is
are
is
are
is
are
is
are
is
are
is
are
are
associated with that sport. The Merlin
it seemed to me it might be
named but I prefer not to know what it is called
called but I care not for its name
named but I prefer not to know what it is called
called but I care not for its name
named but I prefer not to know what it is called
called but I care not for its name
named but I prefer not to know what it is called
called but I care not for its name
named but I prefer not to know what it is called
called but I care not for its name
named but I prefer not to know what it is called
called but I care not for its name
named but I prefer not to know what it is called
called but I care not for its name
called: but I care not for its name.
It was the most ethereal flight I had ever witnessed. It did not simply
flutter like a butterfly, nor soar like the
noblest
larger
noblest
larger
noblest
larger
noblest
larger
noblest
larger
noblest
larger
noblest
larger
larger
hawks, but it sported with proud reliance in the fields of air; mounting again
and again with its strange chuckle, it repeated its free and beautiful fall, turning
over and over like a kite,
It was most high and then recovering from its
It was most high and then recovering from its
It was most high and then recovering from its
It was most high and then recovering from its
It was most high and then recovering from its
It was most high and then recovering from its
It was most high and then recovering from its
and then recovering from its
lofty tumbling, as if it had never set its foot on
terra firma
. It
seemed
appeared
seemed
appeared
seemed
appeared
seemed
appeared
seemed
appeared
seemed
appeared
seemed
appeared
appeared
to have no companion in the universe,—sporting there alone,—and to need none
but the morning and the ether with which it played. It
seemed
was
seemed
was
seemed
was
seemed
was
seemed
was
seemed
was
seemed
was
was
not lonely, but made all the earth lonely beneath
it , though it had no mate in the world
it , though it had no mate in the world
it , though it had no mate in the world
it , though it had no mate in the world
it , though it had no mate in the world
it , though it had no mate in the world
it , though it had no mate in the world
it.
Where was the parent
that
which
that
which
that
which
that
which
that
which
that
which
that
which
which
hatched it, its kindred, and its father in the heavens? The tenant of the air,
it seemed related to the earth but by an egg hatched some time in the crevice of a
crag;—or was its native nest made in the angle of a cloud, woven of the rainbow’s
trimmings and the sunset sky, and lined with some soft
midsummer
midsummer
midsummer
midsummer
midsummer
midsummer
midsummer
midsummer
haze caught up from earth? Its eyry
was perchance
now
was perchance
now
was perchance
now
was perchance
now
was perchance
now
was perchance
now
was perchance
now
now
some cliffy cloud.
Beside this I got a rare mess of golden and silver and
bright cupreous fishes, which looked like a string of
jewels—This spring ramble was very invigorating and purgative
of wintry fumes and dumps
jewels. This spring ramble was very invigorating and
purgative of wintry fumes and dumps.
jewels. This spring ramble was very invigorating and
purgative of wintry fumes and dumps.
jewels. This spring ramble was very invigorating and
purgative of wintry fumes and dumps.
jewels. This spring ramble was very invigorating and
purgative of wintry fumes and dumps.
jewels. This spring ramble was very invigorating and
purgative of wintry fumes and dumps.
jewels. This spring ramble was very invigorating and
purgative of wintry fumes and dumps.
jewels.
Ah! I have penetrated to those meadows on the morning of
the
many a
the
many a
the
many a
the
many a
the
many a
the
many a
many a
first spring day, jumping from hummock to hummock, from willow root to
willow root, when the wild river valley and the woods were bathed in so pure and
bright a light as would have waked the dead, if they had been slumbering in their
graves, as some suppose. There
is
needs
is
needs
is
needs
is
needs
is
needs
is
needs
needs
no stronger proof of immortality. All things must live in such a light. O
Death, where was thy sting? O Grave, where was thy victory, then?
Our village life would
stagnate , I think,
stagnate , I think,
stagnate , I think,
stagnate , I think,
stagnate , I think,
stagnate , I think,
stagnate , I think,
stagnate
if it were not for the unexplored forests and meadows which surround it. We
need the tonic of wildness,
—to wade sometimes in
meadows
marshes where only
meadows
marshes where only
meadows
marshes where only
meadows
marshes where only
meadows
marshes where only
meadows
marshes where only
meadows
marshes where only
marshes where
the bittern and the meadow-hen
lurk, and hear the booming of the snipe; to smell the whispering sedge where only
some wilder and more solitary fowl builds her nest, and the mink crawls with its
belly close to the ground. At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn
all things, we require that all things
should be mysterious and unexplorable by us
should be mysterious and unexplorable by us
should be mysterious and unexplorable by us
should be mysterious and unexplorable by us
should be mysterious and unexplorable by us
should be mysterious and unexplorable by us
should be mysterious and unexplorable by us
be mysterious and unexplorable,
that land and sea be infinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us
because unfathomable.
because unfathomable.
because unfathomable.
because unfathomable.
because unfathomable.
because unfathomable.
because unfathomable.
because unfathomable.
We can never have enough of nature. We must be refreshed by the sight of
inexhaustible vigor, vast
features and Titanic features,
features and Titanic features,
features and Titanic features,
features and Titanic features,
features and Titanic features,
features and Titanic features,
features and Titanic features,
and Titanic features,
the sea-coast with its wrecks, the wilderness with its living and its decaying
trees, the thunder cloud, and the rain which lasts three weeks and produces freshets.
We need to witness our own limits transgressed, and some life pasturing freely where
we never wander. We are cheered when we observe the vulture
feeding on the carrion
that
which
that
which
that
which
that
which
that
which
that
which
that
which
which
disgusts and disheartens us and deriving health and strength from the repast.
There was a dead horse
in the hollow by
the path to my house, which compelled me sometimes to
go round &
go round &
go round &
go round &
go round &
go round &
go round &
go
out of my way, especially in the night when the air was heavy, but the
assurance it gave me of the strong appetite and inviolable health of Nature was my
consolation
compensation
consolation
compensation
consolation
compensation
consolation
compensation
consolation
compensation
consolation
compensation
consolation
compensation
compensation
for this. I love to see
that nature is
that nature is
that nature is
that nature is
that nature is
that nature is
that nature is
that Nature is
so rife with life that myriads can be afforded to be sacrificed and suffered
to prey on one another;
the
that tender organizations that can
the
that tender organizations that can
the
that tender organizations that can
the
that tender organizations that can
the
that tender organizations that can
the
that tender organizations that can
the
that tender organizations that can
that tender organizations can
be so serenely squashed out of existence like
soft pulp
soft pulp
soft pulp
soft pulp
soft pulp
soft pulp
soft pulp
pulp,
—tadpoles which herons gobble up, and tortoises and toads run
over by a wheel
over by a wheel
over by a wheel
over by a wheel
over by a wheel
over by a wheel
over by a wheel
over
in the road; and that sometimes it has rained
flesh and blood! With the liability to
accident, we must see
the trivialness of it, and the little amount that
the trivialness of it, and the little amount that
the trivialness of it, and the little amount that
the trivialness of it, and the little amount that
the trivialness of it, and the little account that
how the little account
the trivialness of it, and the little account that
how the little account
the trivialness of it, and the little account that
how the little account
how little account
is to be made of it. The impression made
upon
upon
upon
upon
upon
upon
upon
on
a wise man is
that
that
that
that
of universal innocence. Poison is not poisonous after all, nor are any wounds
fatal. Compassion is a very untenable
ground to occupy long at a time
ground to occupy long at a time
ground to occupy long at a time
ground to occupy long at a time
ground to occupy long at a time
ground to occupy long at a time
ground to occupy long at a time
ground.
It must
be very
be very
be very
be very
be very
be very
be very
be
expeditious. Its pleadings will not bear to be stereotyped.
Early in
May, or by the last of April
May, or by the last of April
May, or by the last of April
May, or by the last of April
May, or by the last of April
May, or by the last of April
May, or by the last of April
May,
the oaks, hickories, maples, and other trees, just putting out amidst the
pine woods around the pond,
gave them the appearance
imparted a brightness like sunshine to the landscape
gave them the appearance
imparted a brightness like sunshine to the landscape
gave them the appearance
imparted a brightness like sunshine to the landscape
gave them the appearance
imparted a brightness like sunshine to the landscape
gave them the appearance
imparted a brightness like sunshine to the landscape
gave them the appearance
imparted a brightness like sunshine to the landscape
gave them the appearance
imparted a brightness like sunshine to the landscape
imparted a brightness like sunshine to the landscape
especially in cloudy days,
of the sun just
of the sun just
of the sun just
of the sun just
of the sun just
of the sun just
of the sun just
as if the sun were
breaking through mists and shining
on them. Their green bursting buds and expanding leaves scattered a
slight brightness like sun shine over the hill sides.
When the oaks are in the gray
faintly on the hill sides here & there. On
on them. Their green bursting buds and expanding leaves scattered a
slight brightness like sun shine over the hill sides.
When the oaks are in the gray
faintly on the hill sides here & there. On
on them. Their green bursting buds and expanding leaves scattered a
slight brightness like sun shine over the hill sides.
When the oaks are in the gray
faintly on the hill sides here & there. On
on them. Their green bursting buds and expanding leaves scattered a
slight brightness like sun shine over the hill sides.
When the oaks are in the gray
faintly on the hill sides here & there. On
on them. Their green bursting buds and expanding leaves scattered a
slight brightness like sun shine over the hill sides.
When the oaks are in the gray
faintly on the hill sides here & there. On
on them. Their green bursting buds and expanding leaves scattered a
slight brightness like sun shine over the hill sides.
When the oaks are in the gray
faintly on the hill sides here & there. On
on them. Their green bursting buds and expanding leaves scattered a
slight brightness like sun shine over the hill sides.
When the oaks are in the gray
faintly on the hill sides here & there. On
faintly on the hill-sides here and there. On
the third or fourth of May I saw a loon in the pond, and during the first
week of the month I heard the whippoorwill, the brown-thrasher, the veery, the
wood-pewee, the chewink, and other birds.
Often when I expected to find a woodchuck or rabbit or a grey
squirrel, it was the ground robin rustling the leaves
—the wood thrush I had heard long before
Often when I expected to find a woodchuck or rabbit or a grey
squirrel, it was the ground robin rustling the leaves
—the wood thrush I had heard long before
Often when I expected to find a woodchuck or rabbit or a grey
squirrel, it was the ground robin rustling the leaves
—the wood thrush I had heard long before
Often when I expected to find a woodchuck or rabbit or a grey
squirrel, it was the ground robin rustling the leaves
—the wood thrush I had heard long before
The wood thrush I had heard the wood thrush long
before
The wood thrush I had heard the wood thrush long
before
The wood thrush I had heard the wood thrush long
before
I had heard the wood-thrush long before.
Generally I was the friend and defender of such of the brute
creation as were my neighbors. Walden was formerly a place of eagles—and the
woods are still extensive & various. I amused myself with watching what
life still remains—my only companions. While I was building my house a pair
of robins were forward to take advantage of this protection against birds of
prey and built their nest in one day in a pitch pine which I had left
growing against the rear within 3 feet of my hammer and though the scraps of
shingles were falling all over the tree—and there they dwelt, till at length
some boys destroyed the eggs. Sometimes a phoebe came
The phoebe came once more
Generally I was the friend and defender of such of the brute
creation as were my neighbors. Walden was formerly a place of eagles—and the
woods are still extensive & various. I amused myself with watching what
life still remains—my only companions. While I was building my house a pair
of robins were forward to take advantage of this protection against birds of
prey and built their nest in one day in a pitch pine which I had left
growing against the rear within 3 feet of my hammer and though the scraps of
shingles were falling all over the tree—and there they dwelt, till at length
some boys destroyed the eggs. Sometimes a phoebe came
The phoebe came once more
Generally I was the friend and defender of such of the brute
creation as were my neighbors. Walden was formerly a place of eagles—and the
woods are still extensive & various. I amused myself with watching what
life still remains—my only companions. While I was building my house a pair
of robins were forward to take advantage of this protection against birds of
prey and built their nest in one day in a pitch pine which I had left
growing against the rear within 3 feet of my hammer and though the scraps of
shingles were falling all over the tree—and there they dwelt, till at length
some boys destroyed the eggs. Sometimes a phoebe came
The phoebe came once more
Generally I was the friend and defender of such of the brute
creation as were my neighbors. Walden was formerly a place of eagles—and the
woods are still extensive & various. I amused myself with watching what
life still remains—my only companions. While I was building my house a pair
of robins were forward to take advantage of this protection against birds of
prey and built their nest in one day in a pitch pine which I had left
growing against the rear within 3 feet of my hammer and though the scraps of
shingles were falling all over the tree—and there they dwelt, till at length
some boys destroyed the eggs. Sometimes a phoebe came
The phoebe came once more
The phoebe came
had already come
The phoebe came
had already come
The phoebe came
had already come
The phoebe had already come once more
and looked in at my door
or
and window
or
and window
or
and window
or
and window
or
and window
or
and window
or
and window
and window,
to see if my house was
cavern-like enough like a cave
cavern-like enough like a cave
cavern-like enough like a cave
cavern-like enough like a cave
cavern-like enough like a cave
cavern-like enough like a cave
cavern-like enough like a cave
cavern-like enough
for her, sustaining herself on humming winds with clinched talons, as if
she held by the air, while she surveyed the
premises , and frequently she flitted through and out at
the opposite window
premises , and frequently she flitted through and out at
the opposite window
premises , and frequently she flitted through and out at
the opposite window
premises , and frequently she flitted through and out at
the opposite window
premises , and frequently she flitted through and out at
the opposite window
premises , and frequently she flitted through and out at
the opposite window
premises , and frequently she flitted through and out at
the opposite window
premises.
The
sulphur-like
sulphur-like
sulphur-like
sulphur-like
sulphur-like
sulphur-like
sulphur-like
sulphur-like
pollen of the pitch pine
already
soon
already
soon
already
soon
already
soon
already
soon
already
soon
already
soon
soon
covered the pond and the stones and rotten wood along the
shore with its yellow dust
shore with its yellow dust
shore with its yellow dust
shore with its yellow dust
shore with its yellow dust
shore with its yellow dust
shore with its yellow dust
shore,
so that you could have collected a barrel-full. These are the sulphur
showers we hear of
so that you could have collected a barrel-full. These are the sulphur
showers we hear of
so that you could have collected a barrel-full. These are the sulphur
showers we hear of
so that you could have collected a barrel-full. These are the sulphur
showers we hear of
so that you could have collected a barrel-full. These are the sulphur
showers we hear of
so that you could have collected a barrel-full. These are the sulphur
showers we hear of
so that you could have collected a barrel-full. These are the sulphur
showers we hear of
so that you could have collected a barrel-ful. This is the
"sulphur showers" we hear of.
Even in Calidas’ drama of Sacontala, we read of "rills dyed yellow with the
golden dust of the lotus."
And so the seasons went rolling on into summer, as
one rambles into higher and higher grass.
Thus was my first year’s life in the woods completed; and the second year was
like unto
like unto
like unto
like unto
like unto
like unto
like unto
similar to
it.
I finally left Walden September 6th, 1847
.
I finally left Walden September 6th, 1847
.
I finally left Walden September 6th, 1847
.
I finally left Walden September 6th, 1847
.
I finally left Walden September 6th, 1847
.
I finally left Walden September 6th, 1847
.
I finally left Walden September 6th, 1847
.
I finally left Walden September 6th, 1847.
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