"There's not a little bird that wings Its airy flight on high, In forest bowers, that sweetly sings So blithe in spring as I. I love the fields, the budding flowers, The trees and gushing streams; I bathe my brow in balmy showers, And bask in sunny beams. "The wanton wind that fans my cheek, In fancy has a voice, In thrilling tones that gently speak-- Rejoice with me, rejoice! The bursting of the ocean-floods, The silver tinkling rills, The whispering of the waving woods, My inmost bosom fills. "The moss for me a carpet weaves Of patterns rich and rare; And meekly through her sheltering leaves The violet nestles there. The violet!--oh, what tales of love, Of youth's sweet spring are thine! And lovers still in field and grove, Of thee will chaplets twine. "Mine are the treasures Nature strews With lavish hand around; My precious gems are sparkling dews, My wealth the verdant ground. Mine are the songs that freely gush From hedge, and bush, and tree; The soaring lark and speckled thrush Discourse rich melody. "A cloud comes floating o'er the sun, The woods' green glories fade; But hark! the blackbird has begun His wild lay in the shade. He hails with joy the threaten'd shower, And plumes his glossy wing; While pattering on his leafy bower, I hear the big drops ring. "Slowly at first, but quicker now, The rushing rain descends; And to each spray and leafy bough A crown of diamonds lends. Oh, what a splendid sight appears! The sun bursts forth again; And, smiling through sweet Nature's tears, Lights up the hill and plain. "And tears are trembling in my eyes, Tears of intense delight; Whilst gazing upward to the skies, My heart o'erflows my sight. Great God of nature! may thy grace Pervade my inmost soul; And in her beauties may I trace The love that form'd the whole!" CHAPTER V Trials of a Travelling Musician "The man that hath not music in his soul." I will say no more. The quotation, though but too true, I is too well known; but it will serve as the best illustration I can give to the various annoyances which beset the path of him who is musically inclined, and whose soul is in unison with sweet sounds. This was my case. I loved music with all my heart and soul, and in order to give myself wholly up to my passion, and claim a sort of moral right to enjoy it, I made it a profession.