Bird of the Bush, a Collection of Poems (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ...the morn, And made the labyrinth of paths complete. The trees were many on a rood, the soil Was maple's choicest loam and rich and deep; A startled buck could cover at a bound The space that sunder'd many of the trees; This brought the aggregate of beaten paths Down to what linguists call a minimum. I now renew in song an old-time camp: --A giant tree is fell'd, a monster beech, Or maple faulty as a sugar tree: Against the fallen tree, two posts are planted Deep in the earth, and let into the log By notches cut to fit, that serve to brace; The space between the posts may be twelve feet, Or more or less according to the number. Of kettles in commission for the season; The posts are forked on their upper ends By which they bear a pole of ample strength To bear the pendent kettles and their freight. Another log, as large as can be handled By all the force, is placed before the kettles, And elevated from the ground by blocks To let the air pass under and give draught: The kettles hung and fill'd, await the fire Before the fire and distant a few feet A rude protection from wet weather stands-A roof of boards with one end on the ground, The other held aloft by posts and pole; The under surface of the roof reflects The rays of heat, and makes it warm below. This year ambition over-reached itself, And tried to compass more than it was able; Too many trees were tapped for any man. With but a woman for his help, to wield; And other help was not available: The other members of the house were yet Too young for more than unimportant aid; And when the season closed, a haggard pair--Perhaps ten days upon a raft at sea, With half a dozen biscuits and some water, Might have reduced them to an equal state. Henceforth for several...