Walden: Spring

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Walden: Spring

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  • Gray Background = assumed to be retained
  • Green = interlined in ink
  • Olive = interlined in pencil.
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List of Versions

  • Princeton_Ed: Princeton Ed. of Walden
  • Version_A: Walden, Version A (1847)
  • Version_B: Walden, Version B (1849)
  • Version_C: Walden, Version C (1849)
  • Version_D: Walden, Version D (1852)
  • Version_E: Walden, Version E (late 1852 - 1853)
  • Version_F: Walden, Version F (1853-1854)
  • Version_G: Walden, Version G (1854)

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Published by Walden: Fluid Text is published by Digital Thoreau at The State University of New York College at Geneseo..

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XVersion
Springn
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)
1a
Spring 1a written: A rewritten: F, F

(Ronald Clapper)
r
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
r
Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
r
Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
r
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 r
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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replace take the place of
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replace take the place of
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replace take the place of
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replace take the place of
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Revision note: F1: replace
replace take the place of
take the place of
the old. 1b
Spring 1b written: A rewritten: F, F
E: Spring 1b follows Spring 3 and precedes a missing leaf (#219).
A: —it froze entirely over the former year on the 22 of Dec.—last year on the 16 of December—in both years a week or two later than Flint’s pond and the river probably on account of its greater depth. Probably the sun warms shallow water through ice a foot thick—as you may make a burning glass with a piece of ice and kindle a fire with it from the sun. The ice is shallowest [compare House-Warming 12b.
F1: This pond will be so far valuable to those that deal in ice, as that it never breaks up so soon as the other ponds others in this neighborhood, both on account of its greater depth, and because it has its having no stream passing through it to melt the ice or wear it away. I never knew it to open in the course of the a winter; even not excepting that just passed, (52-&3) which gave the ponds such a severe trial was no exception. It commonly breaks up opens about the first of April, or a week or ten days later than Flint’s Pond or Fair Haven, beginning to melt first on the north side & in the shallower parts where it began to freeze. I think it indicates better than any other in this neighborhood water hereabouts the absolute progress of the season, being but slightly least affected by transient changes of temperature. A severe cold of a day or two’s duration in March may very much retard the breaking up of the former ponds, while the temperature of Walden increases will increase increases almost uninterruptedly.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 1c
Spring 1c written: A rewritten: F, F
A: Spring 1c follows the four missing leaves (#193-199) after The Pond in Winter 3a and precedes The Ponds 13 and The Pond in Winter 6a. it was 36° or 3 degrees higher than Walden. In the middle 32½ degrees. This difference of 3½ degrees between the temperature of the deep water and the shallow in Flint’s pond—and the fact that a great proportion of it is comparatively shallow—show why it should break up so much sooner than Walden.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 it 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. 1d
Spring 1d written: F rewritten: F
F: So, also, every one who has waded … near the bottom. In spring is interlined in pencil in the original version.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 r
Revision note: F1: observed
observed perceived
r
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 r
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
r
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 r
Revision note: F1: indirectly through
indirectly through
r
Revision note: F1: indirectly through
indirectly through
through
the increased temperature of the air and earth, but its heat r
Revision note: F1: apparently passes directly
apparently passes directly
r
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, r
Revision note: F1: first
first at the same time that it is melting it more directly above
r
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. 1e
Spring 1e written: E rewritten: F
E: Spring 1e appears on a partial leaf from E that was attached to a leaf in F.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 1f
Spring 1f written: F rewritten: F, G
G: A fair copy was made of only –ice from Walden, and leaves … to melt the ice beneath.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 r
Revision note: F1: Fresh Pond
Fresh Pond Cambridge
r
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.
2a
Spring 2a written: F rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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 2b
Spring 2b written: E rewritten: F, G
E: February 24 , 1850 … I noticed with surprise, that is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 2c
Spring 2c written: E rewritten: F, G
E & F: Spring 2c follows Spring 2d.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 2d
Spring 2d written: E rewritten: F, G
E & F: Spring 2d follows Spring 2b and precedes Spring 2c.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 2e
Spring 2e written: E rewritten: F, G
E & F: The pond does not thunder every evening … in the weather, it does does not appear in the manuscript in E or in the original copying of F but is interlined in F.
G: A fair copy was made of only But in the middle of the day … lost its resonance, and probably fishes.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 2f
Spring 2f written: G
G: Spring 2f is interlined.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
3
Spring 3 written: A rewritten: E, F
A: Ponds 1b follows Ponds 3. One attraction in coming to … see the spring come in does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
4a
Spring 4a written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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 4b
Spring 4b written: A rewritten: F
A: Spring 4b follows a missing leaf (#219).

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
5
Spring 5 written: A rewritten: F
A & F: [Spring 5 is preceded by Spring 11.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
6
Spring 6 written: F rewritten: G
G: A fair copy was made of only fineness and of various rich colors … the ripple marks on the bottom.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
7a
Spring 7a written: F rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 7b
Spring 7b written: F
F: Spring 7b is inserted on the recto of the leaf containing House-Warming 10b.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
8
Spring 8 written: F rewritten: G
F: is not the hand a spreading palm leaf with its lobes and veins? is interlined in pencil; The ear may be regarded, fancifully, as a lichen, Umbilicaria, on the side of the head is interlined; with its lobe or drop. The lip … diffused by the cheek bones does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
9a
Spring 9a written: F rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 9b
Spring 9b written: G rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
10
Spring 10 written: F rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
11
Spring 11 written: A rewritten: F, G
A & F: Spring 11 follows Spring 4b and precedes Spring 5.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
12
Spring 12 written: A rewritten: F
A & F: [Spring 12 follows Winter Animals 7b. When Winter Animals 7b was recopied in F, Spring 12 was transferred to its present chapter.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
13
Spring 13 written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
14
Spring 14 written: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
15
Spring 15 written: A rewritten: B, E
A: note I shall not forget … I mean the twig and You may tell by looking … whether its winter is past or not are interlined in pencil.
B: A fair copy was made of only reflecting a summer evening sky … my first spring night in the woods.
A, B, & E: The verbs in the passage Suddenly an influx of light … wheeled and settled in the pond were written in the past tense in A, changed to the present tense in the interlining of A, copied in the present tense in B and E, and changed to the past tense in the interlining of E.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 bear 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.
16
Spring 16 written: A rewritten: B, E, F
A: Spring 16 is followed by a missing leaf (#229).
E: A fair copy was made of only in the morning … break their fast in muddier pools.
F: A fair copy was made of only A "plump" of ducks rose … their noisier cousins.

(Ronald Clapper)
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
cousins
17
Spring 17 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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,
 
"The swallow has come,
 
The swallow has come,
 
Bringing beautiful hours,
 
Beautiful seasons, &c"
"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,
 
"The swallow has come,
 
The swallow has come,
 
Bringing beautiful hours,
 
Beautiful seasons, &c"
"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.
18
Spring 18 written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
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."
19
Spring 19 written: D rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only A single gentle rain … debauched veins expand with still.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
20
Spring 20 written: D
D: Spring 20 is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
"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.
21
Spring 21 written: D
D: After the germs of virtue … natural sentiments of man? is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
"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."
22
Spring 22 written: A

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
23a
Spring 23a written: A rewritten: B, F

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 23b
Spring 23b written: B rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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?
24
Spring 24 written: A rewritten: E
E: A fair copy was made of only With the liability to accident … will not bear to be stereotyped.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
25a
Spring 25a written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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. 25b
Spring 25b written: A rewritten: E
A: Spring 25b follows Higher Laws 7 and precedes Brute Neighbors 9.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 25c
Spring 25c written: A rewritten: E
A: so that you could have … the golden dust of the lotus." does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
26
Spring 26 written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
XVersion
Springn
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)
1a
Spring 1a written: A rewritten: F, F

(Ronald Clapper)
r
Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
r
Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
r
Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
r
Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
r
Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
r
Revision note: F1: Opening such large tracts
Opening such large tracts The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters
r
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 r
Revision note: F1: replace
replace take the place of
r
Revision note: F1: replace
replace take the place of
r
Revision note: F1: replace
replace take the place of
r
Revision note: F1: replace
replace take the place of
r
Revision note: F1: replace
replace take the place of
r
Revision note: F1: replace
replace take the place of
r
Revision note: F1: replace
replace take the place of
take the place of
the old. 1b
Spring 1b written: A rewritten: F, F
E: Spring 1b follows Spring 3 and precedes a missing leaf (#219).
A: —it froze entirely over the former year on the 22 of Dec.—last year on the 16 of December—in both years a week or two later than Flint’s pond and the river probably on account of its greater depth. Probably the sun warms shallow water through ice a foot thick—as you may make a burning glass with a piece of ice and kindle a fire with it from the sun. The ice is shallowest [compare House-Warming 12b.
F1: This pond will be so far valuable to those that deal in ice, as that it never breaks up so soon as the other ponds others in this neighborhood, both on account of its greater depth, and because it has its having no stream passing through it to melt the ice or wear it away. I never knew it to open in the course of the a winter; even not excepting that just passed, (52-&3) which gave the ponds such a severe trial was no exception. It commonly breaks up opens about the first of April, or a week or ten days later than Flint’s Pond or Fair Haven, beginning to melt first on the north side & in the shallower parts where it began to freeze. I think it indicates better than any other in this neighborhood water hereabouts the absolute progress of the season, being but slightly least affected by transient changes of temperature. A severe cold of a day or two’s duration in March may very much retard the breaking up of the former ponds, while the temperature of Walden increases will increase increases almost uninterruptedly.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 1c
Spring 1c written: A rewritten: F, F
A: Spring 1c follows the four missing leaves (#193-199) after The Pond in Winter 3a and precedes The Ponds 13 and The Pond in Winter 6a. it was 36° or 3 degrees higher than Walden. In the middle 32½ degrees. This difference of 3½ degrees between the temperature of the deep water and the shallow in Flint’s pond—and the fact that a great proportion of it is comparatively shallow—show why it should break up so much sooner than Walden.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 it 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. 1d
Spring 1d written: F rewritten: F
F: So, also, every one who has waded … near the bottom. In spring is interlined in pencil in the original version.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 r
Revision note: F1: observed
observed perceived
r
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 r
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
r
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 r
Revision note: F1: indirectly through
indirectly through
r
Revision note: F1: indirectly through
indirectly through
through
the increased temperature of the air and earth, but its heat r
Revision note: F1: apparently passes directly
apparently passes directly
r
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, r
Revision note: F1: first
first at the same time that it is melting it more directly above
r
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. 1e
Spring 1e written: E rewritten: F
E: Spring 1e appears on a partial leaf from E that was attached to a leaf in F.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 1f
Spring 1f written: F rewritten: F, G
G: A fair copy was made of only –ice from Walden, and leaves … to melt the ice beneath.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 r
Revision note: F1: Fresh Pond
Fresh Pond Cambridge
r
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.
2a
Spring 2a written: F rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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 2b
Spring 2b written: E rewritten: F, G
E: February 24 , 1850 … I noticed with surprise, that is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 2c
Spring 2c written: E rewritten: F, G
E & F: Spring 2c follows Spring 2d.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 2d
Spring 2d written: E rewritten: F, G
E & F: Spring 2d follows Spring 2b and precedes Spring 2c.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 2e
Spring 2e written: E rewritten: F, G
E & F: The pond does not thunder every evening … in the weather, it does does not appear in the manuscript in E or in the original copying of F but is interlined in F.
G: A fair copy was made of only But in the middle of the day … lost its resonance, and probably fishes.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 2f
Spring 2f written: G
G: Spring 2f is interlined.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
3
Spring 3 written: A rewritten: E, F
A: Ponds 1b follows Ponds 3. One attraction in coming to … see the spring come in does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
4a
Spring 4a written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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 4b
Spring 4b written: A rewritten: F
A: Spring 4b follows a missing leaf (#219).

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
5
Spring 5 written: A rewritten: F
A & F: [Spring 5 is preceded by Spring 11.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
6
Spring 6 written: F rewritten: G
G: A fair copy was made of only fineness and of various rich colors … the ripple marks on the bottom.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
7a
Spring 7a written: F rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 7b
Spring 7b written: F
F: Spring 7b is inserted on the recto of the leaf containing House-Warming 10b.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
8
Spring 8 written: F rewritten: G
F: is not the hand a spreading palm leaf with its lobes and veins? is interlined in pencil; The ear may be regarded, fancifully, as a lichen, Umbilicaria, on the side of the head is interlined; with its lobe or drop. The lip … diffused by the cheek bones does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
9a
Spring 9a written: F rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 9b
Spring 9b written: G rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
10
Spring 10 written: F rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
11
Spring 11 written: A rewritten: F, G
A & F: Spring 11 follows Spring 4b and precedes Spring 5.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
12
Spring 12 written: A rewritten: F
A & F: [Spring 12 follows Winter Animals 7b. When Winter Animals 7b was recopied in F, Spring 12 was transferred to its present chapter.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
13
Spring 13 written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
14
Spring 14 written: G

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
15
Spring 15 written: A rewritten: B, E
A: note I shall not forget … I mean the twig and You may tell by looking … whether its winter is past or not are interlined in pencil.
B: A fair copy was made of only reflecting a summer evening sky … my first spring night in the woods.
A, B, & E: The verbs in the passage Suddenly an influx of light … wheeled and settled in the pond were written in the past tense in A, changed to the present tense in the interlining of A, copied in the present tense in B and E, and changed to the past tense in the interlining of E.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 bear 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.
16
Spring 16 written: A rewritten: B, E, F
A: Spring 16 is followed by a missing leaf (#229).
E: A fair copy was made of only in the morning … break their fast in muddier pools.
F: A fair copy was made of only A "plump" of ducks rose … their noisier cousins.

(Ronald Clapper)
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
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,
 
The works of man shine."
cousins
17
Spring 17 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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,
 
"The swallow has come,
 
The swallow has come,
 
Bringing beautiful hours,
 
Beautiful seasons, &c"
"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,
 
"The swallow has come,
 
The swallow has come,
 
Bringing beautiful hours,
 
Beautiful seasons, &c"
"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.
18
Spring 18 written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
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."
19
Spring 19 written: D rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only A single gentle rain … debauched veins expand with still.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
20
Spring 20 written: D
D: Spring 20 is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
"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.
21
Spring 21 written: D
D: After the germs of virtue … natural sentiments of man? is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
"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."
22
Spring 22 written: A

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
23a
Spring 23a written: A rewritten: B, F

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 23b
Spring 23b written: B rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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?
24
Spring 24 written: A rewritten: E
E: A fair copy was made of only With the liability to accident … will not bear to be stereotyped.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
25a
Spring 25a written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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
 
Then farmers plant away
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. 25b
Spring 25b written: A rewritten: E
A: Spring 25b follows Higher Laws 7 and precedes Brute Neighbors 9.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 25c
Spring 25c written: A rewritten: E
A: so that you could have … the golden dust of the lotus." does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
26
Spring 26 written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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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