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wilderness with its living and its decaying trees； the
thunder…cloud； and the rain which lasts three weeks and produces
freshets。 We need to witness our own limits transgressed； and some
life pasturing freely where we never wander。 We are cheered when we
observe the vulture feeding on the carrion which disgusts and
disheartens us； and deriving health and strength from the repast。
There was a dead horse in the hollow by the path to my house； which
compelled me sometimes to go out of my way； especially in the night
when the air was heavy； but the assurance it gave me of the strong
appetite and inviolable health of Nature was my compensation for
this。 I love to see that Nature is so rife with life that myriads
can be afforded to be sacrificed and suffered to prey on one
another； that tender organizations can be so serenely squashed out
of existence like pulp tadpoles which herons gobble up； and
tortoises and toads run over in the road； and that sometimes it has
rained flesh and blood！ With the liability to accident； we must see
how little account is to be made of it。 The impression made on a
wise man is that of universal innocence。 Poison is not poisonous
after all； nor are any wounds fatal。 Compassion is a very untenable
ground。 It must be expeditious。 Its pleadings will not bear to be
stereotyped。
Early in May； the oaks； hickories； maples； and other trees； just
putting out amidst the pine woods around the pond； imparted a
brightness like sunshine to the landscape； especially in cloudy
days； as if the sun were breaking through mists and shining faintly
on the hillsides here and there。 On the third or fourth of May I
saw a loon in the pond； and during the first week of the month I
heard the whip…poor…will； the brown thrasher； the veery； the wood
pewee； the chewink； and other birds。 I had heard the wood thrush
long before。 The phoebe had already come once more and looked in at
my door and window； to see if my house was cavern…like enough for
her； sustaining herself on humming wings with clinched talons； as if
she held by the air； while she surveyed the premises。 The
sulphur…like pollen of the pitch pine soon covered the pond and the
stones and rotten wood along the shore； so that you could have
collected a barrelful。 This is the 〃sulphur showers〃 we bear of。
Even in Calidas' drama of Sacontala； we read of 〃rills dyed yellow
with the golden dust of the lotus。〃 And so the seasons went rolling
on into summer； as one rambles into higher and higher grass。
Thus was my first year's life in the woods completed； and the
second year was similar to it。 I finally left Walden September 6th；
1847。