And the squire, as he stalked to the doorway, swore oaths of a violet hue;

And the four district fathers, who followed, seemed to say, "Them's my sentiments tew."


[THREE LINKS OF A LIFE.]

I.

A word went over the hills and plains

Of the scarce-hewn fields that the Tiffin drains,

Through dens of swamps and jungles of trees,

As if it were borne by the buzzing bees