Dreary are the ridges and the desolation to hearts that trusted to do wilder work.

The stark rocks and the rugged lie of the ground bar the way to spirits who are wont to love the sea.

It were better service to sound the firths with the oars, to revel in plundered wares, to pursue the gold of others for my coffer, to gloat over sea-gotten gains, than to dwell in rough lands and winding woodlands and barren glades." Then his wife, loving a life in the country, and weary of the marin harmony of the sea-birds, declared how great joy she found in frequenting the woodlands, in the following strain: "The shrill bird vexes me as I tarry by the shore, and with its chattering rouses me when I cannot sleep.

Wherefore the noisy sweep of its boisterous rush takes gentle rest from my sleeping eye, nor doth the loud-chattering sea-mew suffer me to rest in the night, forcing its wearisome tale into my dainty ears; nor when I would lie down doth it suffer me to be refreshed, clamouring with doleful modulation of its ill-boding voice.

Safer and sweeter do I deem the enjoyment of the woods.