the western pines,
On meadow, stream, and pond,
Flamed the red radiance of a sky,
Set all afire beyond, 20
Slowly o'er the eastern sea bluffs
A milder glory shone,
And the sunset and the moonrise
Were mingled into one!

--_The Huskers._

1. What is Indian summer? Is this a description of
an Indian summer day? Sketch the field described,
or the sunset. Observe the color words in the last
stanza.

2. What was happening in the woods on that October
day? In the fields? Describe the scene in each.

GOLDENROD

BY ELAINE GOODALE EASTMAN

Most of our wild flowers that blossom in the fall
are of brilliant colors. In September the fields
and fence rows are a blaze of reds, yellows, buffs,
and browns. Conspicuous among these is the stately
yellow plume of the goldenrod, strikingly described
in the following poem. Read this selection slowly.
Every line adds to the picture--every word means
one more idea. Try to sense the entire meaning of
the author.

(Used by special permission of the author.)

When the wayside tangles blaze
In the low September sun,
When the flowers of summer days
Droop and wither, one by one,
Reaching up through bush and brier, 5
Sumptuous brow and heart of fire,
Flaunting high its wind-rocked plume,
Brave with wealth of native bloom--
Goldenrod!

When the meadow lately shorn, 10
Parched and languid, swoons with pain,
When her lifeblood, night and morn,
Shrinks in every throbbing vein,
Round her fallen, tarnished urn
Leaping watch fires brighter burn; 15
Royal arch o'er autumn's gate,
Bending low with lustrous weight--
Goldenrod!

In the pasture's rude embrace,
All o'errun with tangled vines,
Where the thistle claims its place,
And the straggling hedge confines,
Bearing still the sweet impress 5
Of unfettered loveliness,
In the field and by the wall,
Binding, clasping, crowning all--