Historical: HELPS TO STUDY. The male bobolink moults in midsummer, taking on a "plain brown" plumage like that of his "Quaker wife." In the 10 13 spring he regains his black and buff colors without moulting any feathers. He sings only in the spring. Fire-winged blackbirds sound the merry fife, Soldiers without strife; And the robins wind the mellow horn Loudly, eve and morn. Who shall clash the cymbals? Jay and crow, That is all they know; And, to roll the deep melodious drum, Lo! the bull-frogs come. 20 Then the splendid chorus! Who shall sing Who the names of the performers call 2 Loved-one of my youth thou wast, Tearfully, All the fair and sunny past, 3 Thy little heart, that hath with love Can it know All the woe Of hope for what returneth never, 4 Out on it! no foolish pining For the sky Dims thine eye, Or for the stars so calmly shining; Like thee let this soul of mine Take hue from that wherefor I long, Self-stayed and high, serene and strong, Not satisfied with hoping- but divine. Violet! dear violet! Thy blue eyes are only wet With joy and love of him who sent thee, And for the fulfilling sense Of that glad obedience Which made thee all that nature meant thee! 10 Here are sweet peas, on tiptoe for a flight; To the o'erhanging sallows: blades of grass HELPS TO STUDY. Biographical: John Keats, 1795-1821, was the son of a London stablekeeper. He lived at the time of Wordsworth, Byron, Shelley and Leigh Hunt, from whom he gathered inspiration. He had a passion |