O, earliest singer! O, care-charming bird,
Married to Morning by a sweeter hymn
Than priest e’er chaunted from his cloister dim
At midnight,—or veiled virgin’s holier word
At sunrise or the paler evening heard,—
To which of all Heaven’s young and lovely Hours,
Who wreathe soft light in hyacinthine bowers,
Beautiful Spirit, is thy suit preferred?
—Unlike the creatures of this low dull earth,
Still dost thou woo, although thy suit be won;
And thus thy mistress bright is pleased ever.
Oh! lose not thou this mark of finer birth—
So may’st thou yet live on, from sun to sun,
Thy joy uncheck’d, thy sweet song silent never.
Barry Cornwall.
THE WEATHER.
To the indications respecting rain by the flight of the swallow, mentioned under April 23, should be added, that when the swallow is observed to fly high, the weather will probably be fair. There are also some other indications in a set of old rules which may be consulted; viz.
Prognostics of the Weather.
To be able to ascertain the future changes of the weather, is of infinite use to the farmer and gardener.
Animals are evidently sooner sensible of the ensuing change of the atmosphere than we are, and from their divers appearance, and apparent sensations, we may in many instances determine what changes are likely to take place.
The following maybe set down as general rules, and upon minute observation we shall find them correct.
When the raven is observed early in the morning at a great height in the air, soaring round and round, and uttering a hoarse croaking sound, we may be sure the day will be fine, and may conclude the weather is about to clear and become fair.
The loud and clamorous quackling of ducks, geese, and other water-fowl, is a sign of rain.