Nature and Elements

Geniumque loci primamque deorum Tellurem Nymphasque et adhuc ignota precatur Flumina.

to reporters the day after his accession to the Presidency on the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt:

I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been by any epaulette I could have worn.

To begin at the beginning: It is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black.

Books that told me everything about the wasp, except why.

So, naturalists observe, a flea

Then, rising with Aurora’s light,

Under the wide and starry sky

Go, little book, and wish to all

At evening, casual flocks of pigeons make

I hear a sudden cry of pain!

This survival of the fittest which I have here sought to express in mechanical terms, is that which Mr Darwin has called ‘natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life’.

People are beginning to see that the first requisite to success in life is to be a good animal.

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffrey.

For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.

Still falls the Rain—

Won’t you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.

Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!

The desire of the moth for the star,

A Sensitive Plant in a garden grew.

A Sensitive Plant in a garden grew.

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

Make me thy lyre, even as the forest is.

Destroyer and preserver; hear, oh, hear!