<V 2> <A W> <L 0> <R 1> <P 35>
$LINES LEFT UPON A $SEAT IN A $YEW-TREE +
WHICH STANDS NEAR THE LAKE OF $ESTHWAITE, ON A DESOLATE PART OF THE SHORE, +
YET COMMANDING A BEAUTIFUL PROSPECT
=$NAY, $TRAVELLEY! REST. THIS LONELY YEW-TREE STANDS
$FAR FROM ALL HUMAN DWELLING: WHAT IF HERE
$NO SPARKLING RIVULET SPREAD THE VERDANT HERB;
$WHAT IF THESE BARREN BOUGHS THE BEE NOT LOVES;
$YET, IF THE WIND BREATHE SOFT, THE CURLING WAVES,
$THAT BREAK AGAINST THE SHORE, SHALL LULL THY MIND
$BY ONE SOFT IMPULSE SAVED FROM VACANCY.
<P 36>
=$WHO HE WAS
$THAT PILED THESE STONES, AND WITH THE MOSSY SOD
$FIRST COVERED O'ER, AND TAUGHT THIS AGED TREE,
$NOW WILD, TO BEND ITS ARMS IN CIRCLING SHADE,
$I WELL REMEMBER.=$HE WAS ONE WHO OWN'D
$NO COMMON SOUL. $IN YOUTH, BY GENIUS NURS'D,
$AND BIG WITH LOFTY VIEWS, HE TO THE WORLD
$WENT FORTH, PURE IN HIS HEART, AGAINST THE TAINT
$OF DISSOLUTE TONGUES, 'GAINST JEALOUSY, AND HATE,
$AND SCORN, AGAINST ALL ENEMIES PREPARED,
$ALL BUT NEGLECT: AND SO, HIS SPIRIT DAMPED
$AT ONCE, WITH RASH DISDAIN HE TURNED AWAY,
$AND WITH THE FOOD OF PRIDE SUSTAINED HIS SOUL
$IN SOLITUDE.=$STRANGER! THESE GLOOMY BOUGHS
$HAD CHARMS FOR HIM; AND HERE HE LOVED TO SIT,
$HIS ONLY VISITANTS A STRAGGLING SHEEP,
$THE STONE-CHAT, OR THE GLANCING SAND-PIPER;
$AND ON THESE BARREN ROCKS, WITH JUNIPER,
$AND HEATH, AND THISTLE, THINLY SPRINKLED O'ER,
$FIXING HIS DOWNWARD EYE, HE MANY AN HOUR
$A MORBID PLEASURE NOURISHED, TRACING HERE
$AN EMBLEM OF HIS OWN UNFRUITFUL LIFE:
$AND LIFTING UP HIS HEAD, HE THEN WOULD GAZE
$ON THE MORE DISTANT SCENE; HOW LOVELY 'TIS
$THOU SEEST, AND HE WOULD GAZE TILL IT BECAME
$FAR LOVELIER, AND HIS HEART COULD NOT SUSTAIN
$THE BEAUTY STILL MORE BEAUTEOUS. $NOR, THAT TIME,
$WOULD HE FORGET THOSE BEINGS, TO WHOSE MINDS,
$WARM FROM THE LABOURS OF BENEVOLENCE,
$OF KINDRED LOVELINESS: THEN HE WOULD SIGH
$WITH MOURNFUL JOY, TO THINK THAT OTHERS FELT
$WHAT HE MUST NEVER FEEL: AND SO, LOST MAN!
<P 37>
$ON VISIONARY VIEWS WOULD FANCY FEED,
$TILL HIS EYE STREAMED WITH TEARS. $IN THIS DEEP VALE
$HE DIED, THIS SEAT HIS ONLY MONUMENT.
<R 2>
$IF THOU BE ONE WHOSE HEART THE HOLY FORMS
$OF YOUNG IMAGINATION HAVE KEPT PURE,
$STRANGER! HENCEFORTH BE WARNED; AND KNOW, THAT PRIDE,
$HOWE'ER DISGUISED IN ITS OWN MAJESTY,
$IS LITTLENESS; THAT HE, WHO FEELS CONTEMPT
$FOR ANY LIVING THING, HATH FACULTIES
$WHICH HE HAS NEVER USED; THAT THOUGHT WITH HIM
$IS IN ITS INFANCY. $THE MAN, WHOSE EYE
$IS EVER ON HIMSELF, DOTH LOOK ON ONE,
$THE LEAST OF NATURE'S WORKS, ONE WHO MIGHT MOVE
$THE WISE MAN TO THAT SCORN WHICH WISDOM HOLDS
$UNLAWFUL, EVER. $O, BE WISER THOU!
$INSTRUCTED THAT TRUE KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO LOVE,
$TRUE DIGNITY ABIDES WITH HIM ALONE
$WHO, IN THE SILENT HOUR OF INWARD THOUGHT,
$CAN STILL SUSPECT, AND STILL REVERE HIMSELF,
$IN LOWLINESS OF HEART.
<V 3> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
THE NIGHTINGALE +
A CONVERSATIONAL POEM, WRITTEN IN APRIL, +
1798
$NO CLOUD, NO RELIQUE OF THE SUNKEN DAY
$DISTINGUISHES THE $WEST, NO LONG THIN SLIP
$OF SULLEN $LIGHT, NO OBSCURE TREMBLING HUES.
$COME, WE WILL REST ON THIS OLD MOSSY $BRIDGE!
$YOU SEE THE GLIMMER OF THE STREAM BENEATH,
<P 38>
$BUT HEAR NO MURMURING: IT FLOWS SILENTLY
$O'ER ITS SOFT BED OF VERDURE. $ALL IS STILL,
$A BALMY NIGHT! AND THO' THE STARS BE DIM,
$YET LET US THINK UPON THE VERNAL SHOWERS
$THAT GLADDEN THE GREEN EARTH, AND WE SHALL FIND
$A PLEASURE IN THE DIMNESS OF THE STARS.
$AND HARK! THE $NIGHTINGALE BEGINS ITS SONG,
"$MOST MUSICAL, MOST MELANCHOLY" $BIRD!
$A MELANCHOLY $BIRD? $O IDLE THOUGHT!
$IN NATURE THERE IS NOTHING MELANCHOLY.
$WITH THE REMEMBRANCE OF A GRIEVOUS WRONG,
$OR SLOW DISTEMPER OR NEGLECTED LOVE,
($AND SO, POOR $WRETCH! FILL'D ALL THINGS WITH HIMSELF
$AND MADE ALL GENTLE SOUNDS TELL BACK THE TALE
$OF HIS OWN SORROWS) HE AND SUCH AS HE
$FIRST NAM'D THESE NOTES A MELANCHOLY STRAIN;
$AND MANY A POET ECHOES THE CONCEIT,
$POET, WHO HATH BEEN BUILDING UP THE RHYME
$WHEN HE HAD BETTER FAR HAVE STRETCH'D HIS LIMBS
$BESIDE A BROOK IN MOSSY FOREST-DELL
$BY SUN OR MOONLIGHT, TO THE INFLUXES
$OF SHAPES AND SOUNDS AND SHIFTING ELEMENTS
$SURRENDERING HIS WHOLE SPIRIT, OF HIS SONG
$AND OF HIS FAME FORGETFUL! SO HIS FAME
$SHOULD SHARE IN NATURE'S IMMORTALITY,
$A VENERABLE THING! AND SO HIS SONG
<P 39>
$SHOULD MAKE ALL NATURE LOVELIER, AND ITSELF
$BE LOV'D, LIKE NATURE!=$BUT 'TWILL NOT BE SO;
$AND YOUTHS AND MAIDENS MOST POETICAL
$WHO LOSE THE DEEP'NING TWILIGHTS OF THE SPRING
$IN BALL-ROOMS AND HOT THEATRES, THEY STILL
$FULL OF MEEK SYMPATHY MUST HEAVE THEIR SIGHS
$O'ER $PHILOMELA'S PITY-PLEADING STRAINS.
$MY FRIEND, AND MY $FRIEND'S $SISTER! WE HAVE LEARNT
$A DIFFERENT LORE: WE MAY NOT THUS PROFANE
$NATURE'S SWEET VOICES ALWAYS FULL OF LOVE
$AND JOYANCE! '$TIS THE MERRY $NIGHTINGALE
$THAT CROWDS, AND HURRIES, AND PRECIPITATES
$WITH FAST THICK WARBLE HIS DELICIOUS NOTES,
$AS HE WERE FEARFUL, THAT AN $APRIL NIGHT
$WOULD BE TOO SHORT FOR HIM TO UTTER FORTH
$HIS LOVE-CHANT, AND DISBURTHEN HIS FULL SOUL
$OF ALL ITS MUSIC! $AND $I KNOW A GROVE
$OF LARGE EXTENT, HARD BY A CASTLE HUGE
$WHICH THE GREAT LORD INHABITS NOT: AND SO
$THIS GROVE IS WILD WITH TANGLING UNDERWOOD,
$AND THE TRIM WALKS ARE BROKEN UP AND GRASS,
$THIN GRASS AND KING-CUPS GROW WITHIN THE PATHS.
$BUT NEVER ELSEWHERE IN ONE PLACE $I KNEW
$SO MANY $NIGHTINGALES: AND FAR AND NEAR
$IN WOOD AND THICKET OVER THE WIDE GROVE
$WITH SKIRMISH AND CAPRICIOUS PASSAGINGS,
$AND MURMURS MUSICAL AND SWIFT JUG JUG
$AND ONE LOW PIPING SOUND MORE SWEET THAN ALL=
$STIRRING THE AIR WITH SUCH AN HARMONY,
$THAT SHOULD YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES, YOU MIGHT ALMOST
$FORGET IT WAS NOT DAY! $ON MOONLIGHT BUSHES,
$WHOSE DEWY LEAFITS ARE BUT HALF DISCLOS'D,
<P 40>
$YOU MAY PERCHANCE BEHOLD THEM ON THE TWIGS,
$THEIR BRIGHT, BRIGHT EYES, THEIR EYES BOTH BRIGHT AND FULL,
$GLISTNING, WHILE MANY A GLOW-WORM IN THE SHADE
$LIGHTS UP HER LOVE-TORCH. +
<R 2> +
$A MOST GENTLE MAID
$WHO DWELLETH IN HER HOSPITABLE HOME
$HARD BY THE $CASTLE, AND AT LATEST EVE,
($EVEN LIKE A $LADY VOW'D AND DEDICATE
$TO SOMETHING MORE THAN NATURE IN THE GROVE)
$GLIDES THRO' THE PATHWAYS; SHE KNOWS ALL THEIR NOTES,
$THAT GENTLE $MAID! AND OFT, A MOMENT'S SPACE,
$WHAT TIME THE MOON WAS LOST BEHIND A CLOUD,
$HATH HEARD A PAUSE OF SILENCE: TILL THE $MOON
$EMERGING, HATH AWAKEN'D EARTH AND SKY
$WITH ONE SENSATION, AND THOSE WAKEFUL $BIRDS
$HAVE ALL BURST FORTH IN CHORAL MINSTRELSY,
$AS IF ONE QUICK AND SUDDEN $GALE HAD SWEPT
$AN HUNDRED AIRY HARPS! $AND SHE HATH WATCH'D
$MANY A $NIGHTINGALE PERCH GIDDILY
$ON  BLOSMY TWIG STILL SWINGING FROM THE BREEZE,
$AND TO THAT MOTION TUNE HIS WANTON SONG,
$LIKE TIPSY $JOY THAT REELS WITH TOSSING HEAD.
<R 3>
$FAREWELL, $O $WARBLER! TILL TO-MORROW EVE,
$AND YOU, MY FRIENDS! FAREWELL, A SHORT FAREWELL!
$WE HAVE BEEN LOITERING LONG AND PLEASANTLY,
$AND NOW FOR OUR DEAR HOMES.=$THAT STRAIN AGAIN!
$FULL FAIN IT WOULD DELAY ME!=$MY DEAR $BABE,
$WHO, CAPABLE OF NO ARTICULATE SOUND,
$MARS ALL THINGS WITH HIS IMITATIVE LISP,
$HOW HE WOULD PLACE HIS HAND BESIDE HIS EAR,
$HIS LITTLE HAND, THE SMALL FOREFINGER UP,
<P 41>
$AND BID US LISTEN! $AND $I DEEM IT WISE
$TO MAKE HIM $NATURE'S PLAYMATE. $HE KNOWS WELL
$IN MOST DISTRESSFUL MOOD (SOME INWARD PAIN
$HAD MADE UP THAT STRANGE THING, AN INFANT'S DREAM)
$I HURRIED WITH HIM TO OUR ORCHARD PLOT,
$AND HE BEHOLDS THE MOON, AND HUSH'D AT ONCE
$SUSPENDS HIS SOBS, AND LAUGHS MOST SILENTLY,
$WHILE HIS FAIR EYES THAT SWAM WITH UNDROPT TEARS
$DID GLITTER IN THE YELLOW MOON-BEAM! $WELL=
$IT IS A FATHER'S TALE. $BUT IF THAT $HEAVEN
$SHOULD GIVE ME LIFE, HIS CHILDHOOD SHALL GROW UP
$FAMILIAR WITH THESE SONGS, THAT WITH THE NIGHT
$HE MAY ASSOCIATE $JOY! $ONCE MORE FAREWELL,
$SWEET $NIGHTINGALE! ONCE MORE, MY FRIENDS! FAREWELL.
<V 4> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
THE FEMALE VAGRANT
$BY $DERWENT'S SIDE MY $FATHER'S COTTAGE STOOD,
($THE $WOMAN THUS HER ARTLESS STORY TOLD)
$ONE FIELD, A FLOCK, AND WHAT THE NEIGHBOURING FLOOD
$SUPPLIED, TO HIM WERE MORE THAN MINES OF GOLD.
$LIGHT WAS MY SLEEP; MY DAYS IN TRANSPORT ROLL'D:
$WITH THOUGHTLESS JOY $I STRETCH'D ALONG THE SHORE
$MY FATHER'S NETS, OR WATCHED, WHEN FROM THE FOLD
$HIGH O'ER THE CLIFFS $I LED MY FLEECY STORE,
$A DIZZY DEPTH BELOW! HIS BOAT AND TWINKLING OAR.
<R 2>
$MY FATHER WAS A GOOD AND PIOUS MAN,
$AN HONEST MAN BY HONEST PARENTS BRED,
$AND $I BELIEVE THAT, SOON AS $I BEGAN
$TO LISP, HE MADE ME KNEEL BESIDE MY BED,
<P 42>
$AND IN HIS HEARING THERE MY PRAYERS $I SAID:
$AND AFTERWARDS, BY MY GOOD FATHER TAUGHT,
$I READ, AND LOVED THE BOOKS IN WHICH $I READ;
$FOR BOOKS IN EVERY NEIGHBOURING HOUSE $I SOUGHT,
$AND NOTHING TO MY MIND A SWEETER PLEASURE BROUGHT.
<R 3>
$CAN $I FORGET WHAT CHARMS DID ONCE ADORN
$MY GARDEN, STORED WITH PEASE, AND MINT, AND THYME,
$AND ROSE AND LILLY FOR THE SABBATH MORN?
$THE SABBATH BELLS, AND THEIR DELIGHTFUL CHIME;
$THE GAMBOLS AND WILD FREAKS AT SHEARING TIME;
$MY HENS'S RICH NEST THROUGH LONG GRASS SCARCE ESPIED;
$THE COWSLIP-GATHERING AT $MAY'S DEWY PRIME;
$FROM FAR TO MEET ME CAME, SPREADING THEIR SNOWY PRIDE.
<R 4>
$THE STAFF $I YET REMEMBER WHICH UPBORE
$THE BENDING BODY OF MY ACTIVE SIRE;
$HIS SEAT BENEATH THE HONEYED SYCAMORE
$WHEN THE BEES HUMMED, AND CHAIR BY WINTER FIRE;
$WHEN MARKET-MORNING CAME, THE NEAT ATTIRE
$WITH WHICH THOUGH BENT ON HASTE, MYSELF $I DECK'D;
$MY WATCHFUL DOG, WHOSE STARTS OF FURIOUS IRE,
$WHEN STRANGER PASSED, SO OFTEN $I HAVE CHECK'D;
$THE RED-BREAST KNOWN FOR YEARS, WHICH AT MY CASEMENT PECK'D.
<R 5>
$THE SUNS OF TWENTY SUMMERS DANCED ALONG,=
$AH! LITTLE MARKED, HOW FAST THEY ROLLED AWAY:
$THEN ROSE A MANSION PROUD OUR WOODS AMONG,
$AND COTTAGE AFTER COTTAGE OWNED ITS SWAY,
$NO JOY TO SEE A NEIGHBOURING HOUSE, OR STRAY
$THROUGH PASTURES NOT HIS OWN, THE MASTER TOOK;
<P 43>
$MY $FATHER DARED HIS GREEDY WISH GAINSAY;
$HE LOVED HIS OLD HEREDITARY NOOK,
$AND ILL COULD $I THE THOUGHT OF SUCH SAD PARTING BROOK.
<R 6>
$BUT, WHEN HE HAD REFUSED THE PROFFERED GOLD,
$TO CRUEL INJURIES HE BECAME A PREY,
$SORE-TRAVERSED IN WHATE'ER HE BOUGHT AND SOLD:
$HIS TROUBLES GREW UPON HIM DAY BY DAY,
$TILL ALL HIS SUBSTANCE FELL INTO DECAY.
$HIS LITTLE RANGE OF WATER WAS DENIED;
$ALL BUT THE BED WHERE HIS OLD BODY LAY,
$ALL, ALL WAS SEIZED, AND WEEPING, SIDE BY SIDE,
$WE SOUGHT A HOME WHERE WE UNINJURED MIGHT ABIDE.
<R 7>
$CAN $I FORGET THAT MISERABLE HOUR,
$WHEN FROM THE LAST HILL-TOP, MY SIRE SURVEYED,
$PEERING ABOVE THE TREES, THE STEEPLE TOWER,
$THAT ON HIS MARRIAGE-DAY SWEET MUSIC MADE?
$TILL THEN HE HOPED HIS BONES MIGHT THERE BE LAID,
$CLOSE BY MY MOTHER IN THEIR NATIVE BOWERS:
$BIDDING ME TRUST IN $GOD, HE STOOD AND PRAYED,=
$I COULD NOT PRAY:=THROUGH TEARS THAT FELL IN SHOWERS,
$GLIMMER'D OUR DEAR-LOVED HOME, ALAS! NO LONGER OURS!
<R 8>
$THERE WAS A YOUTH WHOM $I HAD LOVED SO LONG,
'$MID THE GREEN MOUNTAINS MANY AND MANY A SONG
$WE TWO HAD SUNG, LIKE LITTLE BIRDS IN $MAY.
$WHEN WE BEGAN TO TIRE OF CHILDISH PLAY
$WE SEEMED STILL MORE AND MORE TO PRIZE EACH OTHER:
<P 44>
$WE TALKED OF MARRIAGE AND OUR MARRIAGE DAY;
$AND $I IN TRUTH DID LOVE HIM LIKE A BROTHER,
$FOR NEVER COULD $I HOPE TO MEET WITH SUCH ANOTHER.
<R 9>
$HIS FATHER SAID, THAT TO A DISTANT TOWN
$HE MUST REPAIR, TO PLY THE ARTIST'S TRADE.
$WHAT TEARS OF BITTER GRIEF TILL THEN UNKNOWN!
$WHAT TENDER VOWS OUR LAST SAD KISS DELAYED!
$TO HIM WE TURNED:=WE HAD NO OTHER AID.
$LIKE ONE REVIVED, UPON HIS NECK $I WEPT,
$AND HER WHOM HE HAD LOVED IN JOY, HE SAID
$HE WELL COULD LOVE IN GRIEF: HIS FAITH HE KEPT;
$AND IN A QUIET HOME ONCE MORE MY FATHER SLEPT.
<R 10>
$FOUR YEARS EACH DAY WITH DAILY BREAD WAS BLEST,
$BY CONSTANT TOIL AND CONSTANT PRAYER SUPPLIED.
$THREE LOVELY INFANTS LAY UPON MY BREAST;
$AND OFTEN, VIEWING THEIR SWEET SMILES, $I SIGHED,
$AND KNEW NOT WHY. $MY HAPPY FATHER DIED
$WHEN SAD DISTRESS REDUCED THE CHILDREN'S MEAL:
$THRICE HAPPY! THAT FROM HIM THE GRAVE DID HIDE
$THE EMPTY LOOM, COLD HEARTH, AND SILENT WHEEL,
$AND TEARS THAT FLOWED FOR ILLS WHICH PATIENCE COULD NOT HEAL.
<R 11>
'$TWAS A HARD CHANGE, AN EVIL TIME WAS COME;
$WE HAD NO HOPE, AND NO RELIEF COULD GAIN.
$BUT SOON, WITH PROUD PARADE, THE NOISY DRUM
$BEAT ROUND, TO SWEEP THE STREETS OF WANT AND PAIN.
$MY HUSBAND'S ARMS NOW ONLY SERVED TO STRAIN
$ME AND HIS CHILDREN HUNGERING IN HIS VIEW:
$IN SUCH DISMAY MY PRAYERS AND TEARS WERE VAIN:
$TO JOIN THOSE MISERABLE MEN HE FLEW;
$AND NOW TO THE SEA-COAST, WITH NUMBERS MORE, WE DREW.
<P 45>
$THERE FOUL NEGLECT FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS WE BORE,
$NOR YET THE CROWDED FLEET ITS ANCHOR STIRRED.
$GREEN FIELDS BEFORE US AND OUR NATIVE SHORE,
$BY FEVER, FROM POLLUTED AIR INCURRED,
$FONDLY WE WISHED, AND WISHED AWAY, NOR KNEW,
'$MID THAT LONG SICKNESS, AND THOSE HOPES DEFERR'D,
$THAT HAPPIER DAYS WE NEVER MORE MUST VIEW:
$THE PARTING SIGNAL STREAMED, AT LAST THE LAND WITHDREW,
<R 13>
$BUT FROM DELAY THE SUMMER CALMS WERE PAST.
$ON AS WE DROVE, THE EQUINOCTIAL DEEP
$RAN MOUNTAINS-HIGH BEFORE THE HOWLING BLAST.
$WE GAZED WITH TERROR ON THE GLOOMY SLEEP
$OF THEM THAT PERISHED IN THE WHIRLWIND'S SWEEP,
$UNTAUGHT THAT SOON SUCH ANGUISH MUST ENSUE,
$OUR HOPES SUCH HARVEST OF AFFLICTION REAP,
$THAT WE THE MERCY OF THE WAVES SHOULD RUE.
$WE REACHED THE WESTERN WORLD, A POOR, DEVOTED CREW.
<R 14>
$OH! DREADFUL PRICE OF BEING TO RESIGN
$ALL THAT IS DEAR ^IN BEING! BETTER FAR
$IN $WANT'S MOST LONELY CAVE TILL DEATH TO PINE,
$UNSEEN, UNHEARD, UNWATCHED BY ANY STAR;
$OR IN THE STREETS AND WALKS WHERE PROUD MEN ARE,
$BETTER OUR DYING BODIES TO OBTRUDE,
$THAN DOG-LIKE, WADING AT THE HEELS OF WAR,
$PROTRACT A CURST EXISTENCE, WITH THE BROOD
$THAT LAP (THEIR VERY NOURISHMENT!) THEIR BROTHER'S BLOOD.
<R 15>
$THE PAINS AND PLAGUES THAT ON OUR HEADS CAME DOWN,
$DISEASE AND FAMINE, AGONY AND FEAR,
$IN WOOD OR WILDERNESS, IN CAMP OR TOWN,
<P 46>
$IT WOULD THY BRAIN UNSETTLE EVEN TO HEAR.
$ALL PERISHED=ALL, IN ONE REMORSELESS YEAR,
$HUSBAND AND CHILDREN! ONE BY ONE, BY SWORD
$AND RAVENOUS PLAGUE, ALL PERISHED: EVERY TEAR
$DRIED UP, DESPAIRING, DESOLATE, ON BOARD
$A $BRITISH SHIP $I WAKED, AS FROM A TRANCE RESTORED.
<R 16>
$PEACEFUL AS SOME IMMEASURABLE PLAIN
$BY THE FIRST BEAMS OF DAWNING LIGHT IMPRESS'D,
$IN THE CALM SUNSHINE SLEPT THE GLITTERING MAIN.
$THE VERY OCEAN HAS ITS HOUR OF REST,
$THAT COMES NOT TO THE HUMAN MOURNER'S BREAST.
$REMOTE FROM MAN, AND STORMS OF MORTAL CARE,
$A HEAVENLY SILENCE DID THE WAVES INVEST;
$I LOOKED AND LOOKED ALONG THE SILENT AIR,
<R 17>
$AH! HOW UNLIKE THOSE LATE TERRIFIC SLEEPS!
$AND GROANS, THAT RAGE OF RACKING FAMINE SPOKE,
$WHERE LOOKS INHUMAN DWELT ON FESTERING HEAPS!
$THE BREATHING PESTILENCE THAT ROSE LIKE SMOKE!
$THE SHRIEK THAT FROM THE DISTANT BATTLE BROKE!
$THE MINE'S DIRE EARTHQUAKE, AND THE PALLID HOST
$DRIVEN BY THE BOMB'S INCESSANT THUNDER-STROKE
$TO LOATHSOME VAULTS, WHERE HEART-SICK ANGUISH TOSS'D,
$HOPE DIED, AND FEAR ITSELF IN AGONY WAS LOST!
<R 18>
$YET DOES THAT BURST OF WOE CONGEAL MY FRAME,
$WHEN THE DARK STREETS APPEARED TO HEAVE AND GAPE,
$WHILE LIKE A SEA THE STORMING ARMY CAME,
$AND $FIRE FROM $HELL REARED HIS GIGANTIC SHAPE,
$AND $MURDER, BY THE GHASTLY GLEAM, AND $RAPE
$SEIZED THEIR JOINT PREY, THE MOTHER AND THE CHILD!
<P 47>
$BUT FROM THESE CRAZING THOUGHTS MY BRAIN, ESCAPE!
=$FOR WEEKS THE BALMY AIR BREATHED SOFT AND MILD,
$AND ON THE GLIDING VESSEL $HEAVEN AND $OCEAN SMILED.
<R 19>
$SOME MIGHTY GULPH OF SEPARATION PAST,
$I SEEMED TRANSPORTED TO ANOTHER WORLD:=
$A THOUGHT RESIGNED WITH PAIN, WHEN FROM THE MAST
$THE IMPATIENT MARINER THE SAIL UNFURL'D,
$AND WHISTLING, CALLED THE WIND THAT HARDLY CURLED
$THE SILENT SEA. $FROM THE SWEET THOUGHTS OF HOME,
$AND FROM ALL HOPE $I WAS FOREVER HURLED.
$FOR ME=FARTHEST FROM EARTHLY PORT TO ROAM
$WAS BEST, COULD $I BUT SHUN THE SPOT WHERE MAN MIGHT COME.
<R 20>
$AND OFT, ROBB'D OF MY PERFECT MIND, $I THOUGHT
$AT LAST MY FEET A RESTING-PLACE HAD FOUND:
$HERE WILL $I WEEP IN PEACE,(SO FANCY WROUGHT,)
$ROAMING THE ILLIMITABLE WATERS ROUND;
$HERE WATCH, OF EVERY HUMAN FRIEND DISOWNED,
$ALL DAY, MY READY TOMB THE OCEAN-FLOOD=
$TO BREAK MY DREAM THE VESSEL REACHED ITS BOUND:
$AND HOMELESS NEAR A THOUSAND HOMES $I STOOD,
$AND NEAR A THOUSAND TABLES PINED, AND WANTED FOOD.
<R 21>
$BY GRIEF ENFEEBLED WAS $I TURNED ADRIFT,
$NOR MORSEL TO MY MOUTH THAT DAY DID LIFT,
$NOR DARED MY HAND AT ANY DOOR TO KNOCK.
$I LAY, WHERE WITH HIS DROWSY MATES, THE COCK
$FROM THE CROSS TIMBER OF AN OUT-HOUSE HUNG;
$HOW DISMAL TOLLED, THAT NIGHT, THE CITY CLOCK!
$AT MORN MY SICK HEART HUNGER SCARCELY STUNG,
$NOR TO THE BEGGAR'S LANGUAGE COULD $I FRAME MY TONGUE.
<P 48>
<R 22>
$SO PASSED ANOTHER DAY, AND SO THE THIRD:
$THEN DID $I TRY, IN VAIN, THE CROWD'S RESORT,
$IN DEEP DESPAIR BY FRIGHTFUL WISHES STIRR'D,
$NEAR THE SEA-SIDE $I REACHED A RUINED FORT:
$THERE, PAINS WHICH NATURE COULD NO MORE SUPPORT,
$WITH BLINDNESS LINKED, DID ON MY VITALS FALL;
$DIZZY MY BRAIN, WITH INTERRUPTION SHORT
$OF HIDEOUS SENSE; $I SUNK, NOR STEP COULD CRAWL,
$AND THENCE WAS BORNE AWAY TO NEIGHBOURING HOSPITAL.
<R 23>
$RECOVERY CAME WITH FOOD: BUT STILL, MY BRAIN
$WAS WEAK, NOR OF THE PAST HAD MEMORY.
$I HEARD MY NEIGHBOURS, IN THEIR BEDS, COMPLAIN
$OF MANY THINGS WHICH NEVER TROUBLED ME;
$OF FEET STILL BUSTLING ROUND WITH BUSY GLEE,
$OF LOOKS WHERE COMMON KINDNESS HAD NO PART,
$OF SERVICE DONE WITH CARELESS CRUELTY,
$FRETTING THE FEVER ROUND THE LANGUID HEART,
$AND GROANS, WHICH, AS THEY SAID, WOULD MAKE A DEAD MAN START.
<R 24>
$THESE THINGS JUST SERVED TO STIR THE TORPID SENSE,
$NOR PAIN NOR PITY IN MY BOSOM RAISED.
$MEMORY, THOUGH SLOW, RETURNED WITH STRENGTH; AND THENCE
$DISMISSED, AGAIN ON OPEN DAY $I GAZED,
$AT HOUSES, MEN, AND COMMON LIGHT, AMAZED.
$THE LANES $I SOUGHT, AND AS THE SUN RETIRED,
$CAME, WHERE BENEATH THE TREES A FAGGOT BLAZED;
$THE WILD BROOD SAW ME WEEP, MY FATE ENQUIRED,
$AND GAVE ME FOOD, AND REST, MORE WELCOME, MORE DESIRED.
<R 25>
$MY HEART IS TOUCHED TO THINK THAT MEN LIKE THESE,
$THE RUDE EARTH'S TENANTS, WERE MY FIRST RELIEF:
$HOW KINDLY DID THEY PAINT THEIR VAGRANT EASE!
<P 49>
$FOR ALL BELONGED TO ALL, AND EACH WAS CHIEF.
$NO PLOUGH THEIR SINEWS STRAINED; ON GRATING ROAD
$NO WAIN THEY DROVE, AND YET, THE YELLOW SHEAF
$IN EVERY VALE FOR THEIR DELIGHT WAS STOWED:
$FOR THEM, IN NATURE'S MEADS, THE MILKY UDDER FLOWED.
<R 26>
$SEMBLANCE, WITH STRAW AND PANNIERED ASS, THEY MADE
$OF POTTERS WANDERING ON FROM DOOR TO DOOR:
$BUT LIFE OF HAPPIER SORT TO ME POURTRAYED,
$AND OTHER JOYS MY FANCY TO ALLURE;
$THE BAG-PIPE DINNING ON THE MIDNIGHT MOOR
$IN BARN UPLIGHTED, AND COMPANIONS BOON
$WELL MET FROM FAR WITH REVELRY SECURE,
$IN DEPTH OF FOREST GLADE, WHEN JOCUND $JUNE
$ROLLED FAST ALONG THE SKY HIS WARM AND GENIAL MOON.
<R 27>
$BUT ILL IT SUITED ME, IN JOURNEY DARK
$O'ER MOOR AND MOUNTAIN, MIDNIGHT THEFT TO HATCH;
$TO CHARM THE SURLY HOUSE-DOG'S FAITHFUL BARK,
$OR HANG ON TIPTOE AT THE LIFTED LATCH;
$THE GLOOMY LANTERN, AND THE DIM BLUE MATCH,
$THE BLACK DISGUISE, THE WARNING WHISTLE SHRILL,
$AND EAR STILL BUSY ON ITS NIGHTLY WATCH,
$WERE NOT FOR ME, BROUGHT UP IN NOTHING ILL;
$BESIDES, ON GRIEFS SO FRESH MY THOUGHTS WERE BROODING STILL.
<R 28>
$WHAT COULD $I DO, UNAIDED AND UNBLEST?
$POOR $FATHER! GONE WAS EVERY FRIEND OF THINE:
$AND KINDRED OF DEAD HUSBAND ARE AT BEST
$SMALL HELP, AND, AFTER MARRIAGE SUCH AS MINE,
$WITH LITTLE KINDNESS WOULD TO ME INCLINE.
$ILL WAS $I THEN FOR TOIL OR SERVICE FIT:
<P 50>
$WITH TEARS WHOSE COURSE NO EFFORT COULD CONFINE,
$BY HIGH-WAY SIDE FORGETFUL WOULD $I SIT
$WHOLE HOURS, MY IDLE ARMS IN MOPING SORROW KNIT.
<R 29>
$I LIVED UPON THE MERCY OF THE FIELDS,
$AND OFT OF CRUELTY THE SKY ACCUSED;
$ON HAZARD, OR WHAT GENERAL BOUNTY YIELDS,
$NOW COLDLY GIVEN, NOW UTTERLY REFUSED.
$THE FIELDS $I FOR MY BED HAVE OFTEN USED:
$BUT, WHAT AFFLICTS MY PEACE WITH KEENEST RUTH
$IS, THAT $I HAVE MY INNER SELF ABUSED,
$AND CLEAR AND OPEN SOUL, SO PRIZED IN FEARLESS YOUTH.
<R 30>
$THREE YEARS A WANDERER, OFTEN HAVE $I VIEW'D,
$IN TEARS, THE SUN TOWARDS THAT COUNTRY TEND
$WHERE MY POOR HEART LOST ALL ITS FORTITUDE:
$AND NOW ACROSS THIS MOOR MY STEPS $I BEND=
$OH! TELL ME WHITHER=FOR NO EARTHLY FRIEND
$HAVE $I.=$SHE CEASED, AND WEEPING TURNED AWAY,
$AS IF BECAUSE HER TALE WAS AT AN END
$SHE WEPT;=BECAUSE SHE HAD NO MORE TO SAY
$OF THAT PERPETUAL WEIGHT WHICH ON HER SPIRIT LAY.
<V 5> <A W> <R 1> <L 0>
GOODY BLAKE AND HARRY GILL +
A TRUE STORY
$OH! WHAT'S THE MATTER? WHAT'S THE MATTER?
$WHAT IS'T THAT AILS YOUNG $HARRY $GILL?
$THAT EVERMORE HIS TEETH THEY CHATTER,
$CHATTER, CHATTER, CHATTER STILL.
<P 51>
<R 2>
$OF WAISTCOATS $HARRY HAS NO LACK,
$GOOD DUFFLE GREY, AND FLANNEL FINE;
$HE HAS A BLANKET ON HIS BACK,
$AND COATS ENOUGH TO SMOTHER NINE.
<R 3>
$IN $MARCH, $DECEMBER, AND IN $JULY,
'$TIS ALL THE SAME WITH $HARRY $GILL;
$THE NEIGHBOURS TELL, AND TELL YOU TRULY,
$HIS TEETH THEY CHATTER, CHATTER STILL.
$AT NIGHT, AT MORNING, AND AT NOON,
'$TIS ALL THE SAME WITH $HARRY $GILL;
$BENEATH THE SUN, BENEATH THE MOON,
$HIS TEETH THEY CHATTER, CHATTER STILL.
<R 4>
$YOUNG $HARRY WAS A LUSTY DROVER,
$AND WHO SO STOUT OF LIMB AS HE?
$HIS CHEEKS WERE RED AS RUDDY CLOVER,
$HIS VOICE WAS LIKE THE VOICE OF THREE.
$AULD $GOODY $BLAKE WAS OLD AND POOR,
$ILL FED SHE WAS, AND THINLY CLAD;
$AND ANY MAN WHO PASS'D HER DOOR,
$MIGHT SEE HOW POOR A HUT SHE HAD.
<R 5>
$ALL DAY SHE SPUN IN HER POOR DWELLING,
$AND THEN HER THREE HOURS' WORK AT NIGHT!
$ALAS! 'TWAS HARDLY WORTH THE TELLING,
$IT WOULD NOT PAY FOR CANDLE-LIGHT.
=$THIS WOMAN DWELT IN $DORSETSHIRE,
$HER HUT WAS ON A COLD HILL-SIDE,
$AND IN THAT COUNTRY COALS ARE DEAR,
$FOR THEY COME FAR BY WIND AND TIDE.
<P 52>
$BY THE SAME FIRE TO BOIL THEIR POTTAGE,
$TWO POOR OLD DAMES, AS $I HAVE KNOWN,
$WILL OFTEN LIVE IN ONE SMALL COTTAGE,
$BUT SHE, POOR WOMAN, DWELT ALONE.
'$TWAS WELL ENOUGH WHEN SUMMER CAME,
$THE LONG, WARM, LIGHTSOME SUMMER-DAY,
$THEN AT HER DOOR THE ^CANTY DAME
$WOULD SIT, AS ANY LINNET GAY.
<R 7>
$BUT WHEN THE ICE OUR STREAMS DID FETTER,
$OH! THEN HOW HER OLD BONES WOULD SHAKE!
$YOU WOULD HAVE SAID, IF YOU HAD MET HER,
'$TWAS A HARD TIME FOR $GOODY $BLAKE.
$HER EVENINGS THEN WERE DULL AND DEAD;
$SAD CASE IT WAS, AS YOU MAY THINK,
$FOR VERY COLD TO GO TO BED,
$AND THEN FOR COLD NOT SLEEP A WINK.
<R 8>
$OH JOY FOR HER! WHEN E'ER IN WINTER
$THE WINDS AT NIGHT HAD MADE A ROUT,
$AND SCATTER'D MANY A LUSTY SPLINTER,
$AND MANY A ROTTEN BOUGH ABOUT.
$YET NEVER HAD SHE, WELL OR SICK,
$AS EVERY MAN WHO KNEW HER SAYS,
$A PILE BEFORE-HAND, WOOD OR STICK,
$ENOUGH TO WARM HER FOR THREE DAYS.
<R 9>
$NOW, WHEN THE FROST WAS PAST ENDURING,
$AND MADE HER POOR OLD BONES TO ACHE,
$COULD ANY THING BE MORE ALLURING,
$THAN AN OLD HEDGE TO $GOODY $BLAKE?
$AND NOW AND THEN, IT MUST BE SAID,
$WHEN HER OLD BONES WERE COLD AND CHILLED,
<P 53>
$SHE LEFT HER FIRE, OR LEFT HER BED,
$TO SEEK THE HEDGE OF $HARRY $GILL.
<R 10>
$NOW $HARRY HE HAD LONG SUSPECTED
$THIS TRESPASS OF OLD $GOODY $BLAKE,
$AND VOW'D THAT SHE SHOULD BE DETECTED,
$AND HE ON HER WOULD VENGEANCE TAKE.
$AND OFT FROM HIS WARM FIRE HE'D GO,
$AND TO THE FIELDS HIS ROAD WOULD TAKE,
$AND THERE, AT NIGHT, IN FROST AND SNOW,
$HE WATCH'D TO SEIZE OLD $GOODY $BLAKE.
<R 11>
$AND ONCE, BEHIND A RICK OF BARLEY,
$THUS LOOKING OUT DID $HARRY STAND;
$THE MOON WAS FULL AND SHINING CLEARLY,
$AND CRISP WITH FROST THE STUBBLE-LAND.
=$HE HEARS A NOISE=HE'S ALL AWAKE=
$AGAIN?=ON TIP-TOE DOWN THE HILL
$SHE'S AT THE HEDGE OF $HARRY $GILL.
<R 12>
$RIGHT GLAD WAS HE WHEN HE BEHELD HER:
$STICK AFTER STICK DID $GOODY PULL,
$HE STOOD BEHIND A BUSH OF ELDER,
$TILL SHE HAD FILLED HER APRON FULL.
$WHEN WITH HER LOAD SHE TURNED ABOUT,
$THE BYE-ROAD BACK AGAIN TO TAKE,
$HE STARTED FORWARD WITH A SHOUT,
$AND SPRANG UPON POOR $GOODY $BLAKE.
<R 13>
$AND FIERCELY BY THE ARM HE TOOK HER,
$AND BY THE ARM HE HELD HER FAST,
$AND FIERCELY BY THE ARM HE SHOOK HER,
<P 54>
$AND CRIED, "$I'VE CAUGHT YOU THEN AT LAST!"
$THEN $GOODY, WHO HAD NOTHING SAID,
$HER BUNDLE FROM HER LAP LET FALL;
$AND KNEELING ON THE STICKS, SHE PRAY'D
$TO $GOD THAT IS THE JUDGE OF ALL.
<R 14>
$SHE PRAY'D, HER WITHER'D HAND UPREARING,
$WHILE $HARRY HELD HER BY THE ARM=
"$GOD! WHO ART NEVER OUT OF HEARING,
'$O MAY HE NEVER MORE BE WARM!"
$THE COLD, COLD MOON ABOVE HER HEAD,
$THUS ON HER KNEES DID $GOODY PRAY,
$YOUNG $HARRY HEARD WHAT SHE HAD SAID,
$AND ICY-COLD HE TURNED AWAY.
<R 15>
$HE WENT COMPLAINING ALL THE MORROW
$THAT HE WAS COLD AND VERY CHILL:
$HIS FACE WAS GLOOM, HIS HEART WAS SORROW,
$ALAS! THAT DAY FOR $HARRY $GILL!
$THAT DAY HE WORE A RIDING-COAT,
$BUT NOT A WHIT THE WARMER HE:
$ANOTHER WAS ON $THURSDAY BROUGHT,
$AND ERE THE $SABBATH HE HAD THREE.
<R 16>
'$TWAS ALL IN VAIN, A USELESS MATTER,
$AND BLANKETS WERE ABOUT HIM PINN'D;
$YET STILL HIS JAWS AND TEETH THEY CLATTER,
$LIKE A LOOSE CASEMENT IN THE WIND.
$AND $HARRY'S FLESH IT FELL AWAY;
$AND ALL WHO SEE HIM SAY 'TIS PLAIN,
$THAT, LIVE AS LONG AS LIVE HE MAY,
$HE NEVER WILL BE WARM AGAIN.
<P 55>
<R 17>
$NO WORD TO ANY MAN HE UTTERS,
$A-BED OR UP, TO YOUNG OR OLD;
$BUT EVER TO HIMSELF HE MUTTERS,
"$POOR $HARRY $GILL IS VERY COLD."
$A-BED OR UP, BY NIGHT OR DAY;
$HIS TEETH THEY CHATTER, CHATTER STILL.
$OF $GOODY $BLAKE AND $HARRY $GILL.
<V 6> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
LINES +
WRITTEN AT A SMALL DISTANCE FROM MY HOUSE, +
AND SENT BY MY LITTLE BOY TO THE +
PERSON TO WHOM THEY ARE +
ADDRESSED
$IT IS THE FIRST MILD DAY OF $MARCH:
$EACH MINUTE SWEETER THAN BEFORE,
$THE RED-BREAST SINGS FROM THE TALL LARCH
$THAT STANDS BESIDE OUR DOOR.
<R 2>
$THERE IS A BLESSING IN THE AIR,
$WHICH SEEMS A SENSE OF JOY TO YIELD
$TO THE BARE TREES, AND MOUNTAINS BARE,
$AND GRASS IN THE GREEN FIELD.
<R 3>
$MY $SISTER! ('TIS A WISH OF MINE)
$NOW THAT OUR MORNING MEAL IS DONE,
$MAKE HASTE, YOUR MORNING TASK RESIGN;
$COME FORTH AND FEEL THE SUN.
<P 56>
<R 4>
$EDWARD WILL COME WITH YOU, AND PRAY,
$PUT ON WITH SPEED YOUR WOODLAND DRESS,
$AND BRING NO BOOK, FOR THIS ONE DAY
$WE'LL GIVE TO IDLENESS.
<R 5>
$NO JOYLESS FORMS SHALL REGULATE
$OUR LIVING $CALENDAR:
$WE FROM TO-DAY, MY FRIEND, WILL DATE
$THE OPENING OF THE YEAR.
<R 6>
$LOVE, NOW AN UNIVERSAL BIRTH,
$FROM HEART TO HEART IS STEALING,
$FROM EARTH TO MAN, FROM MAN TO EARTH,
=$IT IS THE HOUR OF FEELING.
<R 7>
$ONE MOMENT NOW MAY GIVE US MORE
$THAN FIFTY YEARS OF REASON;
$OUR MINDS SHALL DRINK AT EVERY PORE
$THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON.
<R 8>
$SOME SILENT LAWS OUR HEARTS MAY MAKE,
$WHICH THEY SHALL LONG OBEY;
$WE FOR THE YEAR TO COME MAY TAKE
$OUR TEMPER FROM TO-DAY.
<R 9>
$AND FROM THE BLESSED POWER THAT ROLLS
$ABOUT, BELOW, ABOVE;
$WE'LL FRAME THE MEASURE OF OUR SOULS,
$THEY SHALL BE TUNED TO LOVE.
<R 10>
$THEN COME, MY SISTER! COME, $I PRAY,
$WITH SPEED PUT ON YOUR WOODLAND DRESS,
$AND BRING NO BOOK; FOR THIS ONE DAY
$WE'LL GIVE TO IDLENESS.
<P 57>
<V 7> <A W> <R 1> <L 0>
SIMON LEE, THE OLD HUNTSMAN +
WITH AN INCIDENT IN WHICH HE WAS CONCERNED
$NOT FAR FROM PLEASANT $IVOR-HALL,
$AN OLD MAN DWELLS, A LITTLE MAN,
$I'VE HEARD HE ONCE WAS TALL.
$OF YEARS HE HAS UPON HIS BACK,
$NO DOUBT, A BURTHEN WEIGHTY;
$HE SAYS HE IS THREE SCORE AND TEN,
$BUT OTHERS SAY HE'S EIGHTY.
<R 2>
$A LONG BLUE LIVERY-COAT HAS HE,
$THAT'S FAIR BEHIND, AND FAIR BEFORE;
$YET MEET HIM WHERE YOU WILL, YOU SEE
$AT ONCE THAT HE IS POOR.
$FULL FIVE AND TWENTY YEARS HE LIVED
$A RUNNING HUNTSMAN MERRY;
$AND, THOUGH HE HAS BUT ONE EYE LEFT,
$HIS CHEEK IS LIKE A CHERRY.
<R 3>
$NO MAN LIKE HIM THE HORN COULD SOUND,
$AND NO MAN WAS SO FULL OF GLEE;
$TO SAY THE LEAST, FOUR COUNTIES ROUND
$HAD HEARD OF $SIMON $LEE;
$HIS MASTER'S DEAD, AND NO ONE NOW
$DWELLS IN THE HALL OF $IVOR;
$MEN, DOGS, AND HORSES, ALL ARE DEAD;
$HE IS THE SOLE SURVIVOR.
<P 58>
<R 4>
$HIS HUNTING FEATS HAVE HIM BEREFT
$OF HIS RIGHT EYE, AS YOU MAY SEE:
$AND THEN, WHAT LIMBS THOSE FEATS HAVE LEFT
$TO POOR OLD $SIMON $LEE!
$HE HAS NO SON, HE HAS NO CHILD,
$HIS WIFE, AN AGED WOMAN,
$LIVES WITH HIM, NEAR THE WATERFALL,
$UPON THE VILLAGE COMMON.
<R 5>
$AND HE IS LEAN AND HE IS SICK,
$HIS LITTLE BODY'S HALF AWRY
$HIS ANCLES THEY ARE SWOLN AND THICK;
$HIS LEGS ARE THIN AND DRY.
$WHEN HE WAS YOUNG HE LITTLE KNEW
$OF HUSBANDRY OR TILLAGE;
$AND NOW HE'S FORCED TO WORK, THOUGH WEAK,
=$THE WEAKEST IN THE VILLAGE.
<R 6>
$HE ALL THE COUNTRY COULD OUTRUN,
$COULD LEAVE BOTH MAN AND HORSE BEHIND;
$AND OFTEN, ERE THE RACE WAS DONE,
$HE REELED AND WAS STONE-BLIND.
$AND STILL THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE WORLD
$AT WHICH HIS HEART REJOICES;
$FOR WHEN THE CHIMING HOUNDS ARE OUT,
$HE DEARLY LOVES THEIR VOICES!
<R 7>
$OLD $RUTH WORKS OUT OF DOORS WITH HIM,
$AND DOES WHAT $SIMON CANNOT DO;
$FOR SHE, NOT OVER STOUT OF LIMB,
$AND THOUGH YOU WTH YOUR UTMOST SKILL
$FROM LABOUR COULD NOT WEAN THEM,
<P 59>
$ALAS! 'TIS VERY LITTLE, ALL
$WHICH THEY CAN DO BETWEEN THEM.
<R 8>
$BESIDE THEIR MOSS-GROWN HUT OF CLAY,
$NOT TWENTY PACES FROM THE DOOR,
$A SCRAP OF LAND THEY HAVE, BUT THEY
$ARE POOREST OF THE POOR.
$THIS SCRAP OF LAND HE FROM THE HEATH
$ENCLOSED WHEN HE WAS STRONGER;
$BUT WHAT AVAILS THE LAND TO THEM,
$WHICH THEY CAN TILL NO LONGER?
<R 9>
$FEW MONTHS OF LIFE HAS HE IN STORE,
$AS HE TO YOU WILL TELL,
$FOR STILL, THE MORE HE WORKS, THE MORE
$HIS POOR OLD ANCLES SWELL.
$MY GENTLE READER, $I PERCEIVE
$HOW PATIENTLY YOU'VE WAITED,
$AND $I'M AFRAID THAT YOU EXPECT
$SOME TALE WILL BE RELATED.
<R 10>
$O READER! HAD YOU IN YOUR MIND
$SUCH STORES AS SILENT THOUGHT CAN BRING,
$O GENTLE READER! YOU WOULD FIND
$A TALE IN EVERY THING.
$WHAT MORE $I HAVE TO SAY IS SHORT,
$I HOPE YOU'LL KINDLY TAKE IT;
$IT IS NO TALE; BUT SHOULD YOU THINK,
$PERHAPS A TALE YOU'LL MAKE IT.
<R 11>
$ONE SUMMER-DAY $I CHANCED TO SEE
$THIS OLD MAN DOING ALL HE COULD
$ABOUT THE ROOT OF AN OLD TREE,
<P 60>
$A STUMP OF ROTTEN WOOD.
$THE MATTOCK TOTTER'D IN HIS HAND;
$SO VAIN WAS HIS ENDEAVOUR
$THAT AT THE ROOT OF THE OLD TREE
$HE MIGHT HAVE WORKED FOR EVER.
<R 12>
"$YOU'RE OVERTASKED, GOOD $SIMON $LEE,
$GIVE ME YOUR TOOL" TO HIM $I SAID;
$AND AT THE WORD RIGHT GLADLY HE
$RECEIVED MY PROFFER'D AID.
$I STRUCK, AND WITH A SINGLE BLOW
$THE TANGLED ROOT $I SEVER'D,
$AT WHICH THE POOR OLD MAN SO LONG
$AND VAINLY HAD ENDEAVOUR'D.
<R 13>
$THE TEARS INTO HIS EYES WERE BROUGHT,
$AND THANKS AND PRAISES SEEMED TO RUN
$SO FAST OUT OF HIS HEART, $I THOUGHT
$THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE DONE.
=$I'VE HEARD OF HEARTS UNKIND, KIND DEEDS
$WITH COLDNESS STILL RETURNING.
$HAS OFTNER LEFT ME MOURNING.
<V 8> <A W> <R 1> <L 0>
ANECDOTE FOR FATHERS, +
SHEWING HOW THE ART OF LYING MAY BE TAUGHT
$I HAVE A BOY OF FIVE YEARS OLD,
$HIS FACE IS FAIR AND FRESH TO SEE;
$HIS LIMBS ARE CAST IN BEAUTY'S MOULD,
$AND DEARLY HE LOVES ME.
<P 61>
<R 2>
$ONE MORN WE STROLL'D ON OUR DRY WALK,
$OUR QUIET HOUSE ALL FULL IN VIEW,
$AND HELD SUCH INTERMITTED TALK
$AS WE ARE WONT TO DO.
<R 3>
$MY THOUGHTS ON FORMER PLEASURES RAN;
$I THOUGHT OF $KILVE'S DELIGHTFUL SHORE,
$MY PLEASANT HOME, WHEN SPRING BEGAN,
$A LONG, LONG YEAR BEFORE.
<R 4>
$A DAY IT WAS WHEN $I COULD BEAR
$TO THINK, AND THINK, AND THINK AGAIN;
$WITH SO MUCH HAPPINESS TO SPARE,
$I COULD NOT FEEL PAIN.
<R 5>
$MY BOY WAS BY MY SIDE, SO SLIM
$AND GRACEFUL IN HIS RUSTIC DRESS!
$AND OFTENTIMES $I TALKED TO HIM,
$IN VERY IDLENESS.
<R 6>
$THE YOUNG LAMBS RAN A PRETTY RACE;
$THE MORNING SUN SHONE BRIGHT AND WARM;
"$KILVE," SAID $I, "WAS A PLEASANT PLACE,
"$AND SO IS $LISWYN FARM.
<R 7>
"$MY LITTLE BOY, WHICH LIKE YOU MORE,"
$I SAID AND TOOK HIM BY THE ARM=
"$OUR HOME BY $KILVE'S DELIGHTFUL SHORE,
"OR HERE AT $LISWYN FARM?"
<R 8>
"$AND TELL ME, HAD YOU RATHER BE,"
$I SAID AND HELD HIM BY THE ARM,
<P 62>
"$AT $KILVE'S SMOOTH SHORE BY THE GREEN SEA,
"$OR HERE AT $LISWYN FARM?
<R 9>
$IN CARELESS MOOD HE LOOKED AT ME,
$WHILE STILL $I HELD HIM BY THE ARM,
$AND SAID, "$AT $KILVE $I'D RATHER BE
"$THAN HERE AT $LISWYN FARM."
<R 10>
"$NOW, LITTLE $EDWARD, SAY WHY SO;
$MY LITTLE $EDWARD, TELL ME WHY;"
"$I CANNOT TELL, $I DO NOT KNOW."
"$WHY THIS IS STRANGE," SAID $I.
<R 11>
"$FOR, HERE ARE WOODS AND GREEN-HILLS WARM;
"$THERE SURELY MUST SOME REASON BE
"$WHY YOU WOULD CHANGE SWEET $LISWYN FARM
"$FOR $KILVE BY THE GREEN SEA."
$AT THIS, MY BOY, SO FAIR AND SLIM,
$HUNG DOWN HIS HEAD, NOR MADE REPLY;
$AND FIVE TIMES DID $I SAY TO HIM,
"$WHY? $EDWARD, TELL ME WHY?
<R 13>
$HIS HEAD HE RAISED=THERE WAS IN SIGHT,
$IT CAUGHT HIS EYE, HE SAW IT PLAIN=
$UPON THE HOUSE-TOP, GLITTERING BRIGHT,
$A BROAD AND GILDED VANE.
<R 14>
$THEN DID THE BOY HIS TONGUE UNLOCK,
$AND THUS TO ME HE MADE REPLY;
"$AT $KILVE THERE WAS NO WEATHER-COCK,
"$AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY."
<P 63>
<R 15>
$O DEAREST, DEAREST BOY! MY HEART
$FOR BETTER LORE WOULD SELDOM YEARN,
$COULD $I BUT TEACH THE HUNDREDTH PART
$OF WHAT FROM THEE $I LEARN.
<V 9> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
WE ARE SEVEN
$A SIMPLE CHILD, DEAR BROTHER $JIM,
$THAT LIGHTLY DRAWS ITS BREATH,
$AND FEELS ITS LIFE IN EVERY LIMB,
$WHAT SHOULD IT KNOW OF DEATH?
<R 2>
$I MET A LITTLE COTTAGE GIRL,
$SHE WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD, SHE SAID;
$HER HAIR WAS THICK WITH MANY A CURL
$THAT CLUSTER'D ROUND HER HEAD.
<R 3>
$SHE HAD A RUSTIC, WOODLAND AIR,
$AND SHE WAS WILDLY CLAD;
$HER EYES WERE FAIR, AND VERY FAIR,
=$HER BEAUTY MADE ME GLAD.
<R 4>
"$SISTERS AND BROTHERS, LITTLE MAID,
"$HOW MANY MAY YOU BE?"
"$HOW MANY? SEVEN IN ALL," SHE SAID,
$AND WONDERING LOOKED AT ME.
<R 5>
"$AND WHERE ARE THEY, $I PRAY YOU TELL?"
$SHE ANSWERED, "$SEVEN ARE WE,
"$AND TWO OF US AT $CONWAY DWELL,
"$AND TWO ARE GONE TO SEA.
<P 64>
<R 6>
"$TWO OF US IN THE CHURCH-YARD LIE,
"$MY SISTER AND MY BROTHER,
"$AND IN THE CHURCH-YARD COTTAGE, $I
"$DWELL NEAR THEM WITH MY MOTHER."
<R 7>
"$YOU SAY THAT TWO AT $CONWAY DWELL,
"$AND TWO ARE GONE TO SEA,
"$YET YOU ARE SEVEN; $I PRAY YOU TELL
"$SWEET $MAID, HOW THIS MAY BE?"
<R 8>
$THEN DID THE LITTLE $MAID REPLY,
"$SEVEN BOYS AND GIRLS ARE WE;
"$TWO OF US IN THE CHURCH-YARD LIE,
"$BENEATH THE CHURCH-YARD TREE."
"$YOU RUN ABOUT, MY LITTLE MAID,
"$YOUR LIMBS THEY ARE ALIVE;
"$IF TWO ARE IN THE CHURCH-YARD LAID,
"$THEN YE ARE ONLY FIVE."
<R 10>
"$THEIR GRAVES ARE GREEN, THEY MAY BE SEEN,"
$THE LITTLE $MAID REPLIED,
"$TWELVE STEPS OR MORE FROM MY MOTHER'S DOOR,
"$AND THEY ARE SIDE BY SIDE.
<R 11>
"$MY STOCKINGS THERE $I OFTEN KNIT,
"$MY 'KERCHIEF THERE $I HEM;
"$AND THERE UPON THE GROUND $I SIT=
"$I SIT AND SING TO THEM.
<R 12>
"$AND OFTEN AFTER SUNSET, $SIR,
"$WHEN IT IS LIGHT AND FAIR,
"$I TAKE MY LITTLE PORRINGER,
"$AND EAT MY SUPPER THERE.
<P 65>
<R 13>
"$THE FIRST THAT DIED WAS LITTLE $JANE;
"$IN BED SHE MOANING LAY,
"$TILL $GOD RELEASED HER OF HER PAIN,
"$AND THEN SHE WENT AWAY.
<R 14>
"$SO IN THE CHURCH-YARD SHE WAS LAID,
"$AND ALL THE SUMMER DRY,
"$TOGETHER ROUND HER GRAVE WE PLAYED,
"$MY BROTHER $JOHN AND $I.
<R 15>
"$AND WHEN THE GROUND WAS WHITE WITH SNOW,
"$AND $I COULD RUN AND SLIDE,
"$MY BROTHER $JOHN WAS FORCED TO GO,
"$AND HE LIES BY HER SIDE."
<R 16>
"$HOW MANY ARE YOU THEN," SAID $I,
"$IF THEY TWO ARE IN $HEAVEN?"
$THE LITTLE $MAIDEN DID REPLY,
"$O $MASTER! WE ARE SEVEN."
<R 17>
"$BUT THEY ARE DEAD; THOSE TWO ARE DEAD!
"$THEIR SPIRITS ARE IN HEAVEN!"
'$TWAS THROWING WORDS AWAY; FOR STILL
$THE LITTLE $MAID WOULD HAVE HER WILL,
$AND SAID, "$NAY, WE ARE SEVEN!"
<V 10> <A W> <R 1> <L 0>
LINES WRITTEN IN EARLY SPRING
$I HEARD A THOUSAND BLENDED NOTES,
$WHILE IN A GROVE $I SATE RECLINED,
$IN THAT SWEET MOOD WHEN PLEASANT THOUGHTS
$BRING SAD THOUGHTS TO THE MIND.
<P 66>
<R 2>
$TO HER FAIR WORKS DID NATURE LINK
$THE HUMAN SOUL THAT THROUGH ME RAN;
$AND MUCH IT GRIEV'D MY HEART TO THINK
$WHAT MAN HAS MADE OF MAN.
<R 3>
$THROUGH PRIMROSE-TUFTS, IN THAT SWEET BOWER,
$AND 'TIS MY FAITH THAT EVERY FLOWER
$ENJOYS THE AIR IT BREATHES.
<R 4>
$THE BIRDS AROUND ME HOPP'D AND PLAY'D:
$THEIR THOUGHTS $I CANNOT MEASURE,
$BUT THE LEAST MOTION WHICH THEY MADE,
$IT SEEM'D A THRILL OF PLEASURE.
<R 5>
$THE BUDDING TWIGS SPREAD OUT THEIR FAN,
$TO CATCH THE BREEZY AIR;
$AND $I MUST THINK, DO ALL $I CAN,
$THAT THERE WAS PLEASURE THERE.
<R 6>
$IF $I THESE THOUGHTS MAY NOT PREVENT,
$IF SUCH BE OF MY CREED THE PLAN,
$HAVE $I NOT REASON TO LAMENT
$WHAT MAN HAS MADE OF MAN?
<V 11> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
THE THORN
$THERE IS A THORN; IT LOOKS SO OLD,
$IN TRUTH YOU'D FIND IT HARD TO SAY,
$HOW IT COULD EVER HAVE BEEN YOUNG,
<P 67>
$IT LOOKS SO OLD AND GREY.
$NOT HIGHER THAN A TWO-YEARS' CHILD,
$IT STANDS ERECT THIS AGED THORN;
$NO LEAVES IT HAS, NO THORNY POINTS;
$IT IS A MASS OF KNOTTED JOINTS,
$A WRETCHED THING FORLORN.
$IT STANDS ERECT, AND LIKE A STONE
$WITH LICHENS IT IS OVERGROWN.
<R 2>
$LIKE ROCK OR STONE, IT IS O'ERGROWN
$WITH LICHENS TO THE VERY TOP,
$AND HUNG WITH HEAVY TUFTS OF MOSS,
$A MELANCHOLY CROP:
$UP FROM THE EARTH THESE MOSSES CREEP,
$AND THIS POOR THORN THEY CLASP IT ROUND
$SO CLOSE, YOU'D SAY THAT THEY WERE BENT
$WITH PLAIN AND MANIFEST INTENT,
$TO DRAG IT TO THE GROUND;
$AND ALL HAD JOINED IN ONE ENDEAVOUR
$TO BURY THIS POOR THORN FOR EVER.
<R 3>
$HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN'S HIGHEST RIDGE,
$WHERE OFT THE STORMY WINTER GALE
$CUTS LIKE A SCYTHE, WHILE THROUGH THE CLOUDS
$IT SWEEPS FROM VALE TO VALE;
$NOT FIVE YARDS FROM THE MOUNTAIN-PATH,
$THIS THORN YOU ON YOUR LEFT ESPY;
$AND TO THE LEFT, THREE YARDS BEYOND,
$YOU SEE A LITTLE MUDDY POND
<P 68>
$OF WATER, NEVER DRY;
$I'VE MEASURED IT FROM SIDE TO SIDE:
'$TIS THREE FEET LONG, AND TWO FEET WIDE.
<R 4>
$AND CLOSE BESIDE THIS AGED THORN,
$A BEAUTEOUS HEAP, A HILL OF MOSS,
$JUST HALF A FOOT IN HEIGHT.
$ALL LOVELY COLOURS THERE YOU SEE,
$ALL COLOURS THAT WERE EVER SEEN,
$AND MOSSY NETWORK TOO IS THERE,
$AS IF BY HAND OF LADY FAIR
$THE WORK HAD WOVEN BEEN,
$AND CUPS, THE DARLINGS OF THE EYE,
$SO DEEP IS THEIR VERMILION DYE.
<R 5>
$AH ME! WHAT LOVELY TINTS ARE THERE!
$OF OLIVE-GREEN AND SCARLET BRIGHT,
$IN SPIKES, IN BRANCHES, AND IN STARS,
$GREEN, RED, AND PEARLY WHITE.
$THIS HEAP OF EARTH O'ERGROWN WITH MOSS,
$WHICH CLOSE BESIDE THE THORN YOU SEE,
$SO FRESH IN ALL ITS BEAUTEOUS DYES,
$IS LIKE AN INFANT'S GRAVE IN SIZE
$AS LIKE AS LIKE CAN BE:
$BUT NEVER, NEVER ANY WHERE,
$AN INFANT'S GRAVE WAS HALF SO FAIR.
<P 69>
<R 6>
$NOW WOULD YOU SEE THIS AGED THORN,
$THIS POND AND BEAUTEOUS HILL OF MOSS,
$YOU MUST TAKE CARE AND CHUSE YOUR TIME
$THE MOUNTAIN WHEN TO CROSS.
$FOR OFT THERE SITS, BETWEEN THE HEAP
$THAT'S LIKE AN INFANT'S GRAVE IN SIZE,
$AND THAT SAME POND OF WHICH $I SPOKE,
$A WOMAN IN A SCARLET CLOAK,
$AND TO HERSELF SHE CRIES,
"$OH MISERY! OH MISERY!
"$OH WOE IS ME! OH MISERY!"
<R 7>
$AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY AND NIGHT
$THIS WRETCHED WOMAN THITHER GOES,
$AND SHE IS KNOWN TO EVERY STAR,
$AND EVERY WIND THAT BLOWS;
$AND THERE BESIDE THE THORN SHE SITS
$WHEN THE BLUE DAY-LIGHT'S IN THE SKIES,
$AND WHEN THE WHIRLWIND'S ON THE HILL,
$OR FROSTY AIR IS KEEN AND STILL,
$AND TO HERSELF SHE CRIES,
"$O MISERY! OH MISERY!
"$OH WOE IS ME! OH MISERY!"
<R 8>
"$NOW WHEREFORE THUS, BY DAY AND NIGHT,
"$IN RAIN, IN TEMPEST, AND IN SNOW,
<P 70>
"$THUS TO THE DREARY MOUNTAIN-TOP
"$DOES THIS POOR WOMAN GO?
"$AND WHY SITS SHE BESIDE THE THORN
"$WHEN THE BLUE DAY-LIGHT'S IN THE SKY,
"$OR WHEN THE WHIRLWIND'S ON THE HILL,
"$OR FROSTY AIR IS KEEN AND STILL,
"$OH WHEREFORE? WHEREFORE? TELL ME WHY
"$DOES SHE REPEAT THAT DOLEFUL CRY?"
<R 9>
$I CANNOT TELL; $I WISH $I COULD;
$FOR THE TRUE REASON NO ONE KNOWS,
$BUT IF YOU'D GLADLY VIEW THE SPOT,
$THE SPOT TO WHICH SHE GOES;
$THE HEAP THAT'S LIKE AN INFANT'S GRAVE,
$THE POND=AND THORN, SO OLD AND GREY,
$PASS BY HER DOOR=TIS SELDOM SHUT=
$AND IF YOU SEE HER IN HER HUT,
$THEN TO THE SPOT AWAY!=
$I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AS DARE
$APPROACH THE SPOT WHEN SHE IS THERE.
<R 10>
"$BUT WHEREFORE TO THE MOUNTAIN-TOP
"$CAN THIS UNHAPPY WOMAN GO,
"$WHATEVER STAR IS IN THE SKIES,
"$WHATEVER WIND MAY BLOW?"
$NAY RACK YOUR BRAIN='TIS ALL IN VAIN,
$I'LL TELL YOU EVERY THING $I KNOW;
$BUT TO THE THORN, AND TO THE POND
<P 71>
$WHICH IS A LITTLE STEP BEYOND,
$I WISH THAT YOU WOULD GO:
$PERHAPS WHEN YOU ARE AT THE PLACE
$YOU SOMETHING OF HER TALE MAY TRACE.
<R 11>
$I'LL GIVE YOU THE BEST HELP $I CAN:
$BEFORE YOU UP THE MOUNTAIN GO,
$UP TO THE DREARY MOUNTAIN-TOP,
$I'LL TELL YOU ALL $I KNOW.
'$TIS NOW SOME TWO AND TWENTY YEARS,
$SINCE SHE (HER NAME IS $MARTHA $RAY)
$GAVE WITH A MAIDEN'S TRUE GOOD WILL
$HER COMPANY TO $STEPHEN $HILL;
$AND SHE WAS BLITHE AND GAY,
$AND SHE WAS HAPPY, HAPPY STILL
$WHENE'ER SHE THOUGHT OF $STEPHEN $HILL.
<R 12>
$AND THEY FIX'D THE WEDDING-DAY,
$THE MORNING THAT MUST WED THEM BOTH;
$BUT $STEPHEN TO ANOTHER MAID
$HAD SWORN ANOTHER OATH;
$AND WITH THIS OTHER MAID TO CHURCH
$UNTHINKING $STEPHEN WENT=
$POOR $MARTHA! ON THAT WOFUL DAY
$A CRUEL, CRUEL FIRE, THEY SAY,
$INTO HER BONES WAS SENT:
$IT DRIED HER BODY LIKE CINDER,
$AND ALMOST TURN'D HER BRAIN TO TINDER.
<P 72>
<R 13>
$THEY SAY, FULL SIX MONTHS AFTER THIS,
$WHILE YET THE SUMMER-LEAVES WERE GREEN,
$SHE TO THE MOUNTAIN-TOP WOULD GO,
$AND THERE WAS OFTEN SEEN.
$AS NOW TO ANY EYE WAS PLAIN;
$SHE WAS WITH CHILD, AND SHE WAS MAD,
$YET OFTEN SHE WAS SOBER SAD
$FROM HER EXCEEDING PAIN.
$OH ME! TEN THOUSAND TIMES I'D RATHER
$THAT HE HAD DIED, THAT CRUEL FATHER!
<R 14>
$SAD CASE FOR SUCH A BRAIN TO HOLD
$COMMUNION WITH A STIRRING CHILD!
$SAD CASE, AS YOU MAY THINK, FOR ONE
$WHO HAD A BRAIN SO WILD!
$LAST $CHRISTMAS WHEN WE TALKED OF THIS,
$OLD $FARMER $SIMPSON DID MAINTAIN,
$THAT IN HER WOMB THE INFANT WROUGHT
$ABOUT ITS MOTHER'S HEART, AND BROUGHT
$HER SENSES BACK AGAIN:
$AND WHEN AT LAST HER TIME DREW NEAR,
$HER LOOKS WERE CALM, HER SENSES CLEAR.
<R 15>
$NO MORE $I KNOW, $I WISH $I DID,
$AND $I WOULD TELL IT ALL TO YOU;
<P 73>
$FOR WHAT BECAME OF THIS POOR CHILD
$THERE'S NONE THAT EVER KNEW:
$AND IF A CHILD WAS BORN OR NO,
$THERE'S NO ONE THAT COULD EVER TELL;
$AND IF 'TWAS BORN ALIVE OR DEAD,
$THERE'S NO ONE KNOWS, AS $I HAVE SAID,
$BUT SOME REMEMBER WELL,
$THAT $MARTHA $RAY ABOUT THIS TIME
$WOULD UP THE MOUNTAIN OFTEN CLIMB.
<R 16>
$AND ALL THAT WINTER, WHEN AT NIGHT
$THE WIND BLEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN-PEAK,
'$TWAS WORTH YOUR WHILE, THOUGH IN THE DARK,
$THE CHURCH-YARD PATH TO SEEK:
$FOR MANY A TIME AND OFT WERE HEARD
$CRIES COMING FROM THE MOUNTAIN-HEAD,
$SOME PLAINLY LIVING VOICES WERE,
$AND OTHERS, $I'VE HEARD MANY SWEAR,
$WERE VOICES OF THE DEAD:
$I CANNOT THINK, WHATE'ER THEY SAY,
$THEY HAD TO DO WITH $MARTHA $RAY.
<R 17>
$BUT THAT SHE GOES TO THIS OLD THORN,
$THE THORN WHICH $I'VE DESCRIBED TO YOU,
$AND THERE SITS IN A SCARLET CLOAK,
$I WILL BE SWORN IS TRUE.
$FOR ONE DAY WITH MY TELESCOPE,
$TO VIEW THE OCEAN WIDE AND BRIGHT,
$WHEN TO THIS COUNTRY FIRST $I CAME,
<P 74>
$ERE $I HAD HEARD OF $MARTHA'S NAME,
$I CLIMBED THE MOUNTAIN'S HEIGHT:
$A STORM CAME ON, AND $I COULD SEE
<R 18>
'$TWAS MIST AND RAIN, AND STORM AND RAIN,
$NO SCREEN, NO FENCE COULD $I DISCOVER,
$AND THEN THE WIND! IN FAITH, IT WAS
$A WIND FULL TEN TIMES OVER.
$I LOOKED AROUND, $I THOUGHT $I SAW
$A JUTTING CRAG, AND OFF $I RAN,
$HEAD-FOREMOST, THROUGH THE DRIVING RAIN,
$THE SHELTER OF THE CRAG TO GAIN,
$AND, AS $I AM A MAN,
$INSTEAD OF JUTTING CRAG, $I FOUND
$A WOMAN SEATED ON THE GROUND.
<R 19>
$I DID NOT SPEAK=$I SAW HER FACE,
$HER FACE IT WAS ENOUGH FOR ME;
$I TURNED ABOUT AND HEARD HER CRY,
"$O MISERY! $O MISERY!"
$AND THERE SHE SITS, UNTIL THE MOON
$THROUGH HALF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY WILL GO,
$AND WHEN THE LITTLE BREEZES MAKE
$THE WATERS OF THE POND TO SHAKE,
$AS ALL THE COUNTRY KNOW,
$SHE SHUDDERS AND YOU HEAR HER CRY,
"$O MISERY! OH MISERY!
<P 75>
<R 20>
"$BUT WHAT'S THE THORN? AND WHAT'S THE POND?
"$AND WHAT'S THE HILL OF MOSS TO HER?
"$AND WHAT'S THE CREEPING BREEZE THAT COMES
"$THE LITTLE POND TO STIR?"
$I CANNOT TELL; BUT SOME WILL SAY
$SHE HANGED HER BABY ON THE TREE,
$SOME SAY SHE DROWNED IT IN THE POND,
$WHICH IS A LITTLE STEP BEYOND,
$BUT ALL AND EACH AGREE,
$THE LITTLE BABE WAS BURIED THERE,
$BENEATH THAT HILL OF MOSS SO FAIR.
<R 21>
$I'VE HEARD THE SCARLET MOSS IS RED
$WITH DROPS OF THAT POOR INFANT'S BLOOD;
$BUT KILL A NEW-BORN INFANT THUS!
$I DO NOT THINK SHE COULD.
$SOME SAY, IF TO THE POND YOU GO,
$AND FIX ON IT A STEADY VIEW,
$THE SHADOW OF A BABE YOU TRACE,
$A BABY AND A BABY'S FACE,
$AND THAT IT LOOKS AT YOU;
$WHENE'ER YOU LOOK ON IT, 'TIS PLAIN
$THE BABY LOOKS AT YOU AGAIN.
<R 22>
$AND SOME HAD SWORN AN OATH THAT SHE
$SHOULD BE TO PUBLIC JUSTICE BROUGHT;
<P 76>
$AND FOR THE LITTLE INFANT'S BONES
$WITH SPADES THEY WOULD HAVE SOUGHT.
$BUT THEN THE BEAUTEOUS HILL OF MOSS
$AND FOR FULL FIFTY YARDS AROUND,
$THE GRASS IT SHOOK UPON THE GROUND;
$BUT ALL DO STILL AVER
$THE LITTLE BABE IS BURIED THERE,
$BENEATH THAT HILL OF MOSS SO FAIR.
<R 23>
$I CANNOT TELL HOW THIS MAY BE,
$BUT PLAIN IT IS, THE THORN IS BOUND
$WITH HEAVY TUFTS OF MOSS, THAT STRIVE
$TO DRAG IT TO THE GROUND.
$AND THIS $I KNOW, FULL MANY A TIME,
$WHEN SHE WAS ON THE MOUNTAIN HIGH,
$BY DAY, AND IN THE SILENT NIGHT,
$WHEN ALL THE STARS SHONE CLEAR AND BRIGHT,
$THAT $I HAVE HEARD HER CRY,
"$O MISERY! OH MISERY!
"$O WOE IS ME! OH MISERY!"
<V 12> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
$THE $LAST OF THE $FLOCK
$IN DISTANT COUNTRIES $I HAVE BEEN,
$AND YET $I HAVE NOT OFTEN SEEN
$A HEALTHY MAN, A MAN FULL GROWN,
$WEEP IN THE PUBLIC ROADS ALONE.
$BUT SUCH A ONE, ON $ENGLISH GROUND,
$AND IN THE BROAD HIGH-WAY, $I MET;
<P 77>
$ALONG THE BROAD HIGH-WAY HE CAME,
$HIS CHEEKS WITH TEARS WERE WET.
$STURDY HE SEEMED, THOUGH HE WAS SAD;
$AND IN HIS ARMS A LAMB HE HAD.
<R 2>
$HE SAW ME, AND HE TURNED ASIDE,
$AS IF HE WISHED HIMSELF TO HIDE:
$THEN WITH HIS COAT HE MADE ESSAY
$TO WIPE THOSE BRINY TEARS AWAY.
$I FOLLOW'D HIM, AND SAID, "$MY FRIEND
"$WHAT AILS YOU? WHEREFORE WEEP YOU SO?"
="$SHAME ON ME, $SIR! THIS LUSTY LAMB,
$HE MAKES MY TEARS FLOW.
$TO-DAY $I FETCHED HIM FROM THE ROCK;
$HE IS THE LAST OF ALL MY FLOCK.
<R 3>
$WHEN $I WAS YOUNG, A SINGLE MAN,
$AND AFTER YOUTHFUL FOLLIES RAN,
$THOUGH LITTLE GIVEN TO CARE AND THOUGHT,
$YET, SO IT WAS, A EWE $I BOUGHT;
$AND OTHER SHEEP FROM HER $I RAISED,
$AS HEALTHY SHEEP AS YOU MIGHT SEE,
$AND THEN $I MARRIED, AND WAS RICH
$AS $I COULD WISH TO BE;
$OF SHEEP $I NUMBER'D A FULL SCORE,
$AND EVERY YEAR ENCREAS'D MY STORE.
<R 4>
$YEAR AFTER YEAR MY STOCK IT GREW,
$AND FROM THIS ONE, THIS SINGLE EWE,
$AS SWEET A FLOCK AS EVER GRAZED!
$UPON THE MOUNTAIN DID THEY FEED;
$THEY THROVE, AND WE AT HOME DID THRIVE.
<P 78>
=$THIS LUSTY LAMB OF ALL MY STORE
$IS ALL THAT IS ALIVE:
$AND NOW $I CARE NOT IF WE DIE,
$AND PERISH ALL OF POVERTY.
<R 5>
$TEN CHILDREN, $SIR! HAD $I TO FEED,
$HARD LABOUR IN A TIME OF NEED!
$MY PRIDE WAS TAMED, AND IN OUR GRIEF
$I OF THE PARISH ASK'D RELIEF.
$THEY SAID $I WAS A WEALTHY MAN;
$MY SHEEP UPON THE MOUNTAIN FED,
$AND IT WAS FIT THAT THENCE $I TOOK
$WHEREOF TO BUY US BREAD:"
"$DO THIS; HOW CAN WE GIVE TO YOU,"
$THEY CRIED, "WHAT TO THE POOR IS DUE?"
<R 6>
$I SOLD A SHEEP AS THEY HAD SAID,
$AND BOUGHT MY LITTLE CHILDREN BREAD,
$AND THEY WERE HEALTHY WITH THEIR FOOD;
$FOR ME IT NEVER DID ME GOOD.
$A WOEFUL TIME IT WAS FOR ME,
$TO SEE THE END OF ALL MY GAINS,
$THE PRETTY FLOCK WHICH $I HAD REARED
$WITH ALL MY CARE AND PAINS,
$TO SEE IT MELT LIKE SNOW AWAY!
$FOR ME IT WS A WOEFUL DAY.
<R 7>
$ANOTHER STILL! AND STILL ANOTHER!
$A LITTLE LAMB, AND THEN ITS MOTHER!
$IT WAS A VEIN THAT NEVER STOPP'D,
$LIKE BLOOD-DROPS FROM MY HEART THEY DROPP'D.
$TILL THIRTY WERE NOT LEFT ALIVE
$THEY DWINDLED, DWINDLED, ONE BY ONE,
<P 79>
$AND $I MAY SAY THAT MANY A TIME
$I WISH THEY ALL WERE GONE:
$THEY DWINDLED ONE BY ONE AWAY;
$FOR ME IT WAS A WOEFUL DAY.
<R 8>
$TO WICKED DEEDS $I WAS INCLINED,
$AND WICKED FANCIES CROSS'D MY MIND,
$AND EVERY MAN $I CHANC'D TO SEE,
$I THOUGHT HE KNEW SOME ILL OF ME.
$NO PEACE, NO COMFORT COULD $I FIND,
$NO EASE, WITHIN DOORS OR WITHOUT,
$AND CRAZILY, AND WEARILY,
$I WENT MY WORK ABOUT.
$OFT-TIMES $I THOUGHT TO RUN AWAY;
$FOR ME IT WAS A WOEFUL DAY.
<R 9>
$SIR! 'TWAS A PRECIOUS FLOCK TO ME,
$AS DEAR AS MY OWN CHILDREN BE;
$FOR DAILY WITH MY GROWING STORE
$ALAS! IT WAS AN EVIL TIME;
$GOD CURSED ME IN MY SORE DISTRESS,
$I PRAYED, YET EVERY DAY $I THOUGHT
$I LOVED MY CHILDREN LESS;
$AND EVERY WEEK, AND EVERY DAY,
$MY FLOCK, IT SEEMED TO MELT AWAY.
<R 10>
$THEY DWINDLED, $SIR, SAD SIGHT TO SEE!
$FROM TEN TO FIVE, FROM FIVE TO THREE,
$A LAMB, A WEATHER, AND A EWE;
$AND THEN AT LAST, FROM THREE TO TWO;
$AND OF MY FIFTY, YESTERDAY
$I HAD BUT ONLY ONE,
<P 80>
$AND HERE IT LIES UPON  MY ARM,
$ALAS! AND $I HAVE NONE;
$TO-DAY $I FETCHED IT FROM THE ROCK;
$IT IS THE LAST OF ALL MY FLOCK."
<V 13> <A C> <L 0> <R 1>
$THE $DUNGEON
$AND THIS PLACE OUR FOREFATHERS MADE FOR MAN!
$THIS IS THE PROCESS OF OUR LOVE AND WISDOM,
$TO EACH POOR BROTHER WHO OFFENDS AGAINST US=
$MOST INNOCENT, PERHAPS=AND WHAT IF GUILTY?
$IS THIS THE ONLY CURE? $MERCIFUL $GOD!
$EACH PORE AND NATURAL OUTLET SHRIVELL'D UP
$BY IGNORANCE AND PARCHING POVERTY,
$HIS ENERGIES ROLL BACK UPON HIS HEART,
$AND STAGNATE AND CORRUPT; TILL CHANGED TO POISON,
$THEY BREAK OUT ON HIM, LIKE A LOATHSOME PLAGUE-SPOT;
$THEN WE CALL IN OUR PAMPER'D MOUNTEBANKS=
$AND THIS IS THEIR BEST CURE! UNCOMFORTED
$AND FRIENDLESS SOLITUDE, GROANING AND TEARS,
$AND SAVAGE FACES, AT THE CLANKING HOUR,
$SEEN THROUGH THE STEAMS AND VAPOUR OF HIS DUNGEON,
$BY THE LAMP'S DISMAL TWILIGHT! $SO HE LIES
$CIRCLED WITH EVIL, TILL HIS VERY SOUL
$UNMOULDS ITS ESSENCE, HOPELESSLY DEFORMED
$BY SIGHTS OF EVER MORE DEFORMITY!
<R 2>
$WITH OTHER MINISTRATIONS THOU, $O NATURE!
$HEALEST THY WANDERING AND DISTEMPERED CHILD:
$THOU POUREST ON HIM THY SOFT INFLUENCES,
$THY SUNNY HUES, FAIR FORMS, AND BREATHING SWEETS,
<P 81>
$THY MELODIES OF WOODS, AND WINDS, AND WATERS,
$TILL HE RELENT, AND CAN NO MORE ENDURE
$TO BE A JARRING AND A DISSONANT THING,
$AMID THIS GENERAL DANCE AND MINSTRELSY;
$HIS ANGRY SPIRIT HEALED AND HARMONIZED
$BY THE BENIGNANT TOUCH OF LOVE AND BEAUTY.
<V 14> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
THE MAD MOTHER
$HER EYES ARE WILD, HER HEAD IS BARE,
$THE SUN HAS BURNT HER COAL-BLACK HAIR,
$HER EYE-BROWS HAVE A RUSTY STAIN,
$AND SHE CAME FAR FROM OVER THE MAIN.
$SHE HAS A BABY ON HER ARM,
$OR ELSE SHE WERE ALONE;
$AND UNDERNEATH THE HAY-STACK WARM,
$AND ON THE GREEN-WOOD STONE,
$SHE TALKED AND SUNG THE WOODS AMONG;
$AND IT WAS IN THE $ENGLISH TONGUE.
<R 2>
"$SWEET BABE! THEY SAY THAT $I AM MAD,
$BUT NAY, MY HEART IS FAR TOO GLAD;
$AND $I AM HAPPY WHEN $I SING
$FULL MANY A SAD AND DOLEFUL THING:
$THEN, LOVELY BABY, DO NOT FEAR!
$I PRAY THEE HAVE NO FEAR OF ME,
$BUT, SAFE AS IN A CRADLE, HERE
$MY LOVELY BABY! THOU SHALT BE,
$TO THEE $I KNOW TOO MUCH $I OWE;
$I CANNOT WORK THEE ANY WOE.
<P 82>
<R 3>
$A FIRE WAS ONCE WITHIN MY BRAIN;
$AND IN MY HEAD A DULL, DULL PAIN;
$AND FIENDISH FACES ONE, TWO, THREE,
$HUNG AT MY BREASTS, AND PULLED AT ME.
$BUT THEN THERE CAME A SIGHT OF JOY;
$IT CAME AT ONCE TO DO ME GOOD;
$I WAKED, AND SAW MY LITTLE BOY,
$MY LITTLE BOY OF FLESH AND BLOOD;
$OH JOY FOR ME THAT SIGHT TO SEE!
$FOR HE WAS HERE, AND ONLY HE.
<R 4>
$SUCK, LITTLE BABE, OH SUCK AGAIN!
$IT COOLS MY BLOOD; IT COOLS MY BRAIN;
$THY LIPS $I FEEL THEM, BABY! THEY
$DRAW FROM MY HEART THE PAIN AWAY.
$OH! PRESS ME WITH THY LITTLE HAND;
$IT LOOSENS SOMETHING AT MY CHEST;
$ABOUT THAT TIGHT AND DEADLY BAND
$I FEEL THY LITTLE FINGERS PRESS'D.
$THE BREEZE $I SEE IS IN THE TREE;
$IT COMES TO COOL MY BABE AND ME.
<R 5>
$OH! LOVE ME, LOVE ME, LITTLE BOY!
$THOU ART THY MOTHER'S ONLY JOY;
$AND DO NOT DREAD THE WAVES BELOW,
$WHEN O'ER THE SEA-ROCK'S EDGE WE GO;
$THE HIGH CRAG CANNOT WORK ME HARM,
$NOR LEAPING TORRENTS WHEN THEY HOWL;
$HE SAVES FOR ME MY PRECIOUS SOUL;
$THEN HAPPY LIE, FOR BLEST AM $I;
$WITHOUT ME MY SWEET BABE WOULD DIE.
<P 83>
<R 6>
$THEN DO NOT FEAR, MY BOY! FOR THEE
$BOLD AS A LION $I WILL BE;
$AND $I WILL ALWAYS BE THY GUIDE,
$THROUGH HOLLOW SNOWS AND RIVERS WIDE.
$I'LL BUILD AN $INDIAN BOWER; $I KNOW
$THE LEAVES THAT MAKE THE SOFTEST BED:
$AND IF FROM ME THOU WILT NOT GO,
$BUT STILL BE TRUE 'TILL $I AM DEAD,
$MY PRETTY THING! THEN THOU SHALT SING,
$AS MERRY AS THE BIRDS IN SPRING.
<R 7>
$THY FATHER CARES NOT FOR MY BREAST,
'$TIS THINE, SWEET BABY, THERE TO REST:
'$TIS ALL THINE OWN! AND IF ITS HUE
$BE CHANGED, THAT WAS SO FAIR TO VIEW,
'$TIS FAIR ENOUGH FOR THEE, MY DOVE!
$MY BEAUTY, LITTLE CHILD, IS FLOWN;
$BUT THOU WILT LIVE WITH ME IN LOVE,
$AND WHAT IF MY POOR CHEEK BE BROWN?
'$TIS WELL FOR ME; THOU CANST NOT SEE
$HOW PALE AND WAN IT ELSE WOULD BE.
<R 8>
$DREAD NOT THEIR TAUNTS, MY LITTLE LIFE!
$I AM THY FATHER'S WEDDED WIFE;
$AND UNDERNEATH THE SPREADING TREE
$WE TWO WILL LIVE IN HONESTY.
$IF HIS SWEET BOY HE COULD FORSAKE,
$WITH ME HE NEVER WOULD HAVE STAY'D:
$FROM HIM NO HARM MY BABE CAN TAKE,
$BUT HE, POOR MAN! IS WRETCHED MADE,
$AND EVERY DAY WE TWO WILL PRAY
$FOR HIM THAT'S GONE AND FAR AWAY.
<P 84>
<R 9>
$I'LL TEACH MY BOY THE SWEETEST THINGS;
$I'LL TEACH HIM HOW THE OWLET SINGS
$MY LITTLE BABE! THY LIPS ARE STILL,
$AND THOU HAST ALMOST SUCK'D THY FILL.
=$WHERE ART THOU GONE MY OWN DEAR CHILD?
$WHAT WICKED LOOKS ARE THOSE $I SEE?
$ALAS! ALAS! THAT LOOK SO WILD,
$IT NEVER, NEVER CAME FROM ME:
$IF THOU ART MAD, MY PRETTY LAD,
$THEN $I MUST BE FOR EVER SAD.
<R 10>
$OH! SMILE ON ME, MY LITTLE LAMB!
$FOR $I THY OWN DEAR MOTHER AM.
$MY LOVE FOR THEE HAS WELL BEEN TRIED:
$I'VE SOUGHT THY FATHER FAR AND WIDE.
$I KNOW THE EARTH-NUTS FIT FOR FOOD;
$THEN, PRETTY DEAR, BE NOT AFRAID;
$WE'LL FIND THY FATHER IN THE WOOD.
$NOW LAUGH AND BE GAY, TO THE WOODS AWAY!
$AND THERE, MY BABE; WE'LL LIVE FOR AYE.
<V 15> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
THE IDIOT BOY
'$TIS EIGHT O'CLOCK,=A CLEAR $MARCH NIGHT,
$THE MOON IS UP=THE SKY IS BLUE,
$THE OWLET IN THE MOONLIGHT AIR,
$HE SHOUTS FROM NOBODY KNOWS WHERE;
$HE LENGTHENS OUT HIS LONELY SHOUT,
$HALLOO! HALLOO! A LONG HALLOO!
<P 85>
<R 2>
=$WHY BUSTLE THUS ABOUT YOUR DOOR,
$WHAT MEANS THIS BUSTLE, $BETTY $FOY?
$WHY ARE YOU IN THIS MIGHTY FRET?
$AND WHY ON HORSEBACK HAVE YOU SET
$HIM WHOM YOU LOVE, YOUR IDIOT BOY?
<R 3>
$BENEATH THE MOON THAT SHINES SO BRIGHT,
$TILL SHE IS TIRED, LET $BETTY $FOY
$WITH GIRT AND STIRRUP FIDDLE-FADDLE;
$BUT WHEREFORE SET UPON A SADDLE
$HIM WHOM SHE LOVES, HER IDIOT BOY?
<R 4>
$THERE'S SCARCE A SOUL THAT'S OUT OF BED;
$GOOD $BETTY! PUT HIM DOWN AGAIN;
$HIS LIPS WITH JOY THEY BURR AT YOU,
$BUT, $BETTY! WHAT HAS HE TO DO
$WITH STIRRUP, SADDLE, OR WITH REIN?
<R 5>
$THE WORLD WILL SAY 'TIS VERY IDLE,
$BETHINK YOU OF THE TIME OF NIGHT;
$THERE'S NOT A MOTHER, NO NOT ONE,
$BUT WHEN SHE HEARS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE,
$OH! $BETTY SHE'LL BE IN A FRIGHT.
<R 6>
$BUT $BETTY'S BENT ON HER INTENT,
$FOR HER GOOD NEIGHBOUR, $SUSAN $GALE,
$OLD $SUSAN, SHE WHO DWELLS ALONE,
$IS SICK, AND MAKES A PITEOUS MOAN,
$AS IF HER VERY LIFE WOULD FAIL.
<R 7>
$THERE'S NOT A HOUSE WITHIN A MILE,
$NO HAND TO HELP THEM IN DISTRESS:
$OLD $SUSAN LIES A BED IN PAIN,
<P 86>
$AND SORELY PUZZLED ARE THE TWAIN,
$FOR WHAT SHE AILS THEY CANNOT GUESS.
<R 8>
$AND $BETTY'S HUSBAND'S AT THE WOOD,
$WHERE BY THE WEEK HE DOTH ABIDE,
$A WOODMAN IN THE DISTANT VALE;
$THERE'S NONE TO HELP POOR $SUSAN $GALE,
$WHAT MUST BE DONE? WHAT WILL BETIDE?
$AND $BETTY FROM THE LANE HAS FETCHED
$HER PONY, THAT IS MILD AND GOOD,
$WHETHER HE BE IN JOY OR PAIN,
$FEEDING AT WILL ALONG THE LANE,
$OR BRINGING FAGGOTS FROM THE WOOD.
<R 10>
$AND $HE IS ALL IN TRAVELLING TRIM,
$AND BY THE MOONLIGHT, $BETTY $FOY
$HAS UP UPON THE SADDLE SET,
$THE LIKE WAS NEVER HEARD OF YET,
$HIM WHOM SHE LOVES, HER IDIOT BOY.
<R 11>
$AND HE MUST POST WITHOUT DELAY
$ACROSS THE BRIDGE THAT'S IN THE DALE,
$AND BY THE CHURCH, AND O'ER THE DOWN,
$TO BRING A DOCTOR FROM THE TOWN,
$OR SHE WILL DIE, OLD $SUSAN $GALE.
<R 12>
$THERE IS NO NEED OF BOOT OR SPUR,
$THERE IS NO NEED OF WHIP OR WAND,
$FOR JOHNNY HAS HIS HOLLY-BOUGH,
$AND WITH A HURLY-BURLY NOW
$HE SHAKES THE GREEN BOUGH IN HIS HAND.
<P 87>
<R 13>
$AND $BETTY O'ER AND O'ER HAS TOLD
$THE BOY WHO IS HER BEST DELIGHT,
$BOTH WHAT TO FOLLOW, WHAT TO SHUN,
$WHAT DO, AND WHAT TO LEAVE UNDONE,
$HOW TURN TO LEFT, AND HOW TO RIGHT.
<R 14>
$AND $BETTY'S MOST ESPECIAL CHARGE,
$WAS, "$JOHNNY! $JOHNNY! MIND THAT YOU
"$COME HOME AGAIN, NOR STOP AT ALL,
"$COME HOME AGAIN, WHATE'ER BEFAL,
"$MY $JOHNNY DO, $I PRAY YOU DO."
<R 15>
$TO THIS DID $JOHNNY ANSWER MAKE,
$BOTH WITH HIS HEAD, AND WITH HIS HAND,
$AND PROUDLY SHOOK THE BRIDLE TOO,
$AND THEN! HIS WORDS WERE NOT A FEW,
$WHICH $BETTY WELL COULD UNDERSTAND.
<R 16>
$AND NOW THAT $JOHNNY IS JUST GOING,
$THOUGH $BETTY'S IN A MIGHTY FLURRY,
$SHE GENTLY PATS THE PONY'S SIDE,
$ON WHICH HER IDIOT BOY MUST RIDE,
$AND SEEMS NO LONGER IN A HURRY.
<R 17>
$BUT WHEN THE PONY MOVED HIS LEGS,
$OH! THEN FOR THE POOR IDIOT BOY!
$FOR JOY HE CANNOT HOLD THE BRIDLE,
$FOR JOY HIS HEAD AND HEELS ARE IDLE,
$HE'S IDLE ALL FOR VERY JOY.
<R 18>
$AND WHILE THE PONY MOVES HIS LEGS,
$IN $JOHNNY'S LEFT-HAND YOU MAY SEE,
$THE GREEN BOUGH'S MOTIONLESS AND DEAD;
$THE MOON THAT SHINES ABOVE HIS HEAD
$IS NOT MORE STILL AND MUTE THAN HE.
<R 19>
$HIS HEART IT WAS SO FULL OF GLEE,
$THAT TILL FULL FIFTY YARDS WERE GONE,
$HE QUITE FORGOT HIS HOLLY WHIP,
$AND ALL HIS SKILL IN HORSEMANSHIP,
$OH! HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY $JOHN.
<R 20>
$AND $BETTY'S STANDING AT THE DOOR,
$AND $BETTY'S FACE WITH JOY O'ERFLOWS,
$PROUD OF HERSELF, AND PROUD OF HIM,
$SHE SEES HIM IN HIS TRAVELLING TRIM;
$HOW QUIETLY HER $JOHNNY GOES.
<R 21>
$THE SILENCE OF HER IDIOT BOY,
$WHAT HOPES IT SENDS TO $BETTY'S HEART!
$HE'S AT THE GUIDE-POST=HE TURNS RIGHT,
$SHE WATCHES TILL HE'S OUT OF SIGHT,
$AND $BETTY WILL NOT THEN DEPART.
<R 22>
$BURR, BURR=NOW $JOHNNY'S LIPS THEY BURR,
$AS LOUD AS ANY MILL, OR NEAR IT,
$MEEK AS A LAMB THE PONY MOVES,
$AND $JOHNNY MAKES THE NOISE HE LOVES,
$AND $BETTY LISTENS, GLAD TO HEAR IT.
<R 23>
$AWAY SHE HIES TO $SUSAN $GALE:
$AND $JOHNNY'S IN A MERRY TUNE,
$THE OWLETS HOOT, THE OWLETS CURR,
$AND $JOHNNY'S LIPS THEY BURR, BURR, BURR,
$AND ON HE GOES BENEATH THE MOON.
<P 89>
<R 24>
$HIS STEED AND HE RIGHT WELL AGREE,
$FOR OF THIS PONY THERE'S A RUMOUR,
$THAT SHOULD HE LOSE HIS EYES AND EARS,
$AND SHOULD HE LIVE A THOUSAND YEARS,
$HE NEVER WILL BE OUT OF HUMOUR.
<R 25>
$BUT THEN HE IS A HORSE THAT THINKS!
$AND WHEN HE THINKS HIS PACE IS SLACK;
$NOW, THOUGH HE KNOWS POOR $JOHNNY WELL,
$YET FOR HIS LIFE HE CANNOT TELL
$WHAT HE HAS GOT UPON HIS BACK.
<R 26>
$SO THROUGH THE MOONLIGHT LANES THEY GO,
$AND FAR INTO THE MOONLIGHT DALE,
$AND BY THE CHURCH, AND O'ER THE DOWN,
$TO BRING A DOCTOR FROM THE TOWN,
$TO COMFORT POOR OLD $SUSAN $GALE.
<R 27>
$AND $BETTY, NOW AT $SUSAN'S SIDE,
$IS IN THE MIDDLE OF HER STORY,
$WHAT COMFORT $JOHNNY SOON WILL BRING,
$WITH MANY A MOST DIVERTING THING,
<R 28>
$AND $BETTY'S STILL AT $SUSAN'S SIDE:
$BY THIS TIME SHE'S NOT QUITE SO FLURRIED;
$DEMURE WITH PORRINGER AND PLATE
$SHE SITS, AS IF IN $SUSAN'S FATE
$HER LIFE AND SOUL WERE BURIED.
<R 29>
$BUT $BETTY, POOR GOOD WOMAN! SHE,
$YOU PLAINLY IN HER FACE MAY READ IT,
$COULD LEND OUT OF THAT MOMENT'S STORE
<P 90>
$FIVE YEARS OF HAPPINESS OR MORE,
$TO ANY THAT MIGHT NEED IT.
<R 30>
$BUT YET $I GUESS THAT NOW AND THEN
$WITH $BETTY ALL WAS NOT SO WELL,
$AND TO THE ROAD SHE TURNS HER EARS,
$AND THENCE FULL MANY A SOUND SHE HEARS,
$WHICH SHE TO $SUSAN WILL NOT TELL.
<R 31>
$POOR $SUSAN MOANS, POOR $SUSAN GROANS,
"$AS SURE AS THERE'S A MOON IN HEAVEN,"
$CRIES $BETTY, "HE'LL BE BACK AGAIN;
"$THEY'LL BOTH BE HERE, 'TIS ALMOST TEN,
"$THEY'LL BOTH BE HERE BEFORE ELEVEN."
<R 32>
$POOR $SUSAN MOANS, POOR $SUSAN GROANS,
$THE CLOCK GIVES WARNING FOR ELEVEN;
'$TIS ON THE STROKE="$IF $JOHNNY'S NEAR,"
$QUOTH $BETTY "HE WILL SOON BE HERE,
"$AS SURE AS THERE'S A MOON IN HEAVEN."
<R 33>
$THE CLOCK IS ON THE STROKE OF TWELVE,
$AND $JOHNNY IS NOT YET IN SIGHT,
$THE MOON'S IN HEAVEN, AS $BETTY SEES,
$BUT $BETTY IS NOT QUITE AT EASE;
$AND $SUSAN HAS A DREADFUL NIGHT.
<R 34>
$AND $BETTY, HALF AN HOUR AGO,
$ON $JOHNNY VILE REFLECTIONS CAST;
"$A LITTLE IDLE SAUNTERING THING!"
$WITH OTHER NAMES, AN ENDLESS STRING,
$BUT NOW THAT TIME IS GONE AND PAST.
<P 91>
<R 35>
$AND $BETTY'S DROOPING AT THE HEART,
$THAT HAPPY TIME ALL PAST AND GONE,
"$HOW CAN IT BE HE IS SO LATE?
"$THE DOCTOR HE HAS MADE HIM WAIT,
"$SUSAN! THEY'LL BOTH BE HERE ANON."
<R 36>
$AND $SUSAN'S GROWING WORSE AND WORSE,
$AND $BETTY'S IN A SAD QUANDARY;
$AND THEN THERE'S NOBODY TO SAY
$IF SHE MUST GO OR SHE MUST STAY:
=$SHE'S IN A SAD QUANDARY.
<R 37>
$BUT NEITHER $DOCTOR NOR HIS GUIDE
$APPEAR ALONG THE MOONLIGHT ROAD,
$THERE'S NEITHER HORSE NOR MAN ABROAD,
$AND $BETTY'S STILL AT $SUSAN'S SIDE.
<R 38>
$AND $SUSAN SHE BEGINS TO FEAR
$OF SAD MISCHANCES NOT A FEW,
$THAT $JOHNNY MAY PERHAPS BE DROWN'D,
$OR LOST PERHAPS, AND NEVER FOUND;
$WHICH THEY MUST BOTH FOR EVER RUE.
<R 39>
$SHE PREFACED HALF A HINT OF THIS
$WITH, "$GOD FORBID IT SHOULD BE TRUE!"
$AT THE FIRST WORD THAT $SUSAN SAID
$CRIED $BETTY, RISING FROM THE BED,
"$SUSAN, $I'D GLADLY STAY WITH YOU.
<R 40>
"$I MUST BE GONE, $I MUST AWAY,
"$CONSIDER, $JOHNNY'S BUT HALF-WISE;
"$SUSAN, WE MUST TAKE CARE OF HIM,
<P 92>
"$IF HE IS HURT IN LIFE OR LIMB"=
"$OH $GOD FORBID!" POOR $SUSAN CRIES.
<R 41>
"$WHAT CAN $I DO?" SAYS $BETTY, GOING,
"$WHAT CAN $I DO TO EASE YOUR PAIN?
"$GOOD $SUSAN TELL ME, AND $I'LL STAY;
"$I FEAR YOU'RE IN A DREADFUL WAY,
"$BUT $I SHALL SOON BE BACK AGAIN."
<R 42>
"$GOOD $BETTY GO, GOOD $BETTY GO,
"$THERE'S NOTHING THAT CAN EASE MY PAIN."
$THEN OFF SHE HIES, BUT WITH A PRAYER
$THAT $GOD POOR $SUSAN'S LIFE WOULD SPARE,
$TILL SHE COMES BACK AGAIN.
<R 43>
$SO, THROUGH THE MOONLIGHT LANE SHE GOES,
$AND FAR INTO THE MOONLIGHT DALE;
$AND HOW SHE RAN, AND HOW SHE WALKED,
$AND ALL THAT TO HERSELF SHE TALKED,
$WOULD SURELY BE A TEDIOUS TALE.
<R 44>
$IN HIGH AND LOW, ABOVE, BELOW,
$IN GREAT AND SMALL, IN ROUND AND SQUARE,
$IN TREE AND TOWER WAS $JOHNNY SEEN,
$IN BUSH AND BRAKE, IN BLACK AND GREEN,
'$TWAS $JOHNNY, $JOHNNY, EVERY WHERE.
<R 45>
$SHE'S PAST THE BRIDGE THAT'S IN THE DALE,
$AND NOW THE THOUGHT TORMENTS HER SORE,
$JOHNNY PERHAPS HIS HORSE FORSOOK,
$TO HUNT THE MOON THAT'S IN THE BROOK,
$AND NEVER WILL BE HEARD OF MORE.
<P 93>
<R 46>
$AND NOW SHE'S HIGH UPON THE DOWN,
$THERE'S NEITHER $JOHNNY NOR HIS HORSE,
$AMONG THE FERN OR IN THE GORSE;
$THERE'S NEITHER DOCTOR NOR HIS GUIDE.
<R 47>
"$OH SAINTS! WHAT IS BECOME OF HIM?
"$PERHAPS HE'S CLIMBED INTO AN OAK,
"$WHERE HE WILL STAY TILL HE IS DEAD;
"$OR SADLY HE HAS BEEN MISLED,
"$AND JOINED THE WANDERING GYPSEY-FOLK.
<R 48>
"$OR HIM THAT WICKED PONY'S CARRIED
"$TO THE DARK CAVE, THE GOBLIN'S HALL,
"$OR IN THE $CASTLE HE'S PURSUING,
"$AMONG THE GHOSTS, HIS OWN UNDOING;
"$OR PLAYING WITH THE WATERFALL."
<R 49>
$AT POOR OLD $SUSAN THEN SHE RAILED,
$WHILE TO THE TOWN SHE POSTS AWAY;
"$IF $SUSAN HAD NOT BEEN SO ILL,
"$ALAS! $I SHOULD HAVE HAD HIM STILL,
"$MY $JOHNNY, TILL MY DYING DAY."
<R 50>
$POOR $BETTY! IN THIS SAD DISTEMPER,
$THE DOCTOR'S SELF WOULD HARDLY SPARE,
$UNWORTHY THINGS SHE TALKED AND WILD,
$EVEN HE, OF CATTLE THE MOST MILD,
$THE PONY HAD HIS SHARE.
<R 51>
$AND NOW SHE'S GOT INTO THE TOWN,
$AND TO THE DOCTOR'S DOOR SHE HIES;
'$TIS SILENCE ALL ON EVERY SIDE;
<P 94>
$THE TOWN SO LONG, THE TOWN SO WIDE,
$IS SILENT AS THE SKIES.
<R 52>
$AND NOW SHE'S AT THE DOCTOR'S DOOR,
$SHE LIFTS THE KNOCKER, RAP, RAP, RAP,
$THE DOCTOR AT THE CASEMENT SHEWS,
$HIS GLIMMERING EYES THAT PEEP AND DOZE;
$AND ONE HAND RUBS HIS OLD NIGHT-CAP.
<R 53>
"$OH $DOCTOR! $DOCTOR! WHERE'S MY $JOHNNY?"
"$I'M HERE, WHAT IS'T YOU WANT WITH ME?"
"$OH $SIR! YOU KNOW $I'M $BETTY $FOY,
"$AND $I HAVE LOST MY POOR DEAR BOY,
"$YOU KNOW HIM=HIM YOU OFTEN SEE;
<R 54>
"$HE'S NOT SO WISE AS SOME FOLKS BE,"
"$THE DEVIL TAKE HIS WISDOM!" SAID
$THE $DOCTOR, LOOKING SOMEWHAT GRIM,
"$WHAT, WOMAN! SHOULD $I KNOW OF HIM?"
$AND, GRUMBLING, HE WENT BACK TO BED.
<R 55>
"$O WOE IS ME! $O WOE IS ME!
"$HERE WILL $I DIE; HERE WILL $I DIE;
"$I THOUGHT TO FIND MY $JOHNNY HERE,
"$OH! WHAT A WRETCHED MOTHER $I!"
<R 56>
$SHE STOPS, SHE STANDS, SHE LOOKS ABOUT,
$WHICH WAY TO TURN SHE CANNOT TELL.
$POOR $BETTY! IT WOULD EASE HER PAIN
$IF SHE HAD THE HEART TO KNOCK AGAIN;
=$THE CLOCK STRIKES THREE=A DISMAL KNELL!
<P 95>
<R 57>
$THEN UP ALONG THE TOWN SHE HIES,
$NO WONDER IF HER SENSES FAIL,
$THIS PITEOUS NEWS SO MUCH IT SHOCK'D HER,
$SHE QUITE FORGOT TO SEND THE $DOCTOR,
$TO COMFORT POOR OLD $SUSAN $GALE.
<R 58>
$AND NOW SHE'S HIGH UPON THE DOWN,
$AND SHE CAN SEE A MILE OF ROAD,
"$OH CRUEL! $I'M ALMOST THREE-SCORE;
"$SUCH NIGHT AS THIS WAS NE'ER BEFORE,
"$THERE'S NOT A SINGLE SOUL ABROAD."
<R 59>
$SHE LISTENS, BUT SHE CANNOT HEAR
$THE FOOT OF HORSE, THE VOICE OF MAN;
$THE STREAMS WITH SOFTEST SOUND ARE FLOWING,
$THE GRASS YOU ALMOST HEAR IT GROWING,
$YOU HEAR IT NOW IF E'ER YOU CAN.
<R 60>
$THE OWLETS THROUGH THE LONG BLUE NIGHT
$ARE SHOUTING TO EACH OTHER STILL:
$FOND LOVERS, YET NOT QUITE HOB NOB,
$THEY LENGTHEN OUT THE TREMULOUS SOB.
$THAT ECHOES FAR FROM HILL TO HILL.
<R 61>
$POOR $BETTY NOW HAS LOST ALL HOPE,
$HER THOUGHTS ARE BENT ON DEADLY SIN;
$A GREEN-GROWN POND SHE JUST HAS PASS'D,
$AND FROM THE BRINK SHE HURRIES FAST,
$LEST SHE SHOULD DROWN HERSELF THEREIN.
<R 62>
$AND NOW SHE SITS HER DOWN AND WEEPS;
$SUCH TEARS SHE NEVER SHED BEFORE;
"$OH DEAR, DEAR PONY! MY SWEET JOY!
<P 96>
"$OH CARRY BACK MY IDIOT BOY!
"$AND WE WILL NE'ER O'ERLOAD THEE MORE."
<R 63>
$A THOUGHT IS COME INTO HER HEAD;
"$THE PONY HE IS MILD AND GOOD,
"$AND WE HAVE ALWAYS USED HIM WELL;
"$PERHAPS HE'S GONE ALONG THE DELL,
"$AND CARRIED $JOHNNY TO THE WOOD."
<R 64>
$THEN UP SHE SPRINGS AS IF ON WINGS;
$SHE THINKS NO MORE OF DEADLY SIN;
$IF $BETTY FIFTY PONDS SHOULD SEE,
$THE LAST OF ALL HER THOUGHTS WOULD BE,
$TO DROWN HERSELF THEREIN.
$OH READER! NOW THAT $I MIGHT TELL
$WHAT $JOHNNY AND HIS HORSE ARE DOING!
$WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING ALL THIS TIME,
$OH COULD $I PUT IT INTO RHYME,
$A MOST DELIGHTFUL TALE PURSUING!
<R 66>
$PERHAPS, AND NO UNLIKELY THOUGHT!
$HE WITH HIS PONY NOW DOTH ROAM
$THE CLIFFS AND PEAKS SO HIGH THAT ARE,
$TO LAY HIS HANDS UPON A STAR,
$AND IN HIS POCKET BRING IT HOME.
<R 67>
$PERHAPS HE'S TURNED HIMSELF ABOUT,
$HIS FACE UNTO HIS HORSE'S TAIL,
$AND STILL AND MUTE, IN WONDER LOST,
$ALL TRAVELS ON ALONG THE VALE.
<P 97>
<R 68>
$AND NOW, PERHAPS, HE'S HUNTING SHEEP,
$A FIERCE AND DREADFUL HUNTER HE!
$YON VALLEY, THAT'S SO TRIM AND GREEN,
$IN FIVE MONTHS' TIME, SHOULD HE BE SEEN,
$A DESART WILDERNESS WILL BE.
<R 69>
$PERHAPS, WITH HEAD AND HEELS ON FIRE,
$AND LIKE THE VERY SOUL OF EVIL,
$HE'S GALLOPING AWAY, AWAY,
$AND SO HE'LL GALLOP ON FOR AYE,
$THE BANE OF ALL THAT DREAD THE DEVIL.
<R 70>
$I TO THE MUSES HAVE BEEN BOUND,
$THESE FOURTEEN YEARS, BY STRONG INDENTURES;
$OH GENTLE MUSES! LET ME TELL
$BUT HALF OF WHAT TO HIM BEFEL,
$FOR SURE HE MET WITH STRANGE ADVENTURES.
<R 71>
$OH GENTLE MUSES! IS THIS KIND?
$WHY WILL YE THUS MY SUIT REPEL?
$WHY OF YOUR FURTHER AID BEREAVE ME?
$AND CAN YE THUS UNFRIENDED LEAVE ME?
$YE MUSES! WHOM $I LOVE SO WELL.
<R 72>
$WHO'S YON, THAT, NEAR THE WATERFALL,
$WHICH THUNDERS DOWN WITH HEADLONG FORCE,
$BENEATH THE MOON, YET SHINING FAIR,
$AS CARELESS AS IF NOTHING WERE,
$SITS UPRIGHT ON A FEEDING HORSE?
<R 73>
$UNTO HIS HORSE, THAT'S FEEDING FREE,
$HE SEEMS, $I THINK, THE REIN TO GIVE;
$OF MOON OR STARS HE TAKES NO HEED;
<P 98>
$OF SUCH WE IN ROMANCES READ,
='$TIS $JOHNNY! $JOHNNY! AS $I LIVE.
<R 74>
$AND THAT'S THE VERY PONY TOO.
$WHERE IS SHE, WHERE IS $BETTY $FOY?
$THE ROARING WATER-FALL SHE HEARS,
$AND CANNOT FIND HER IDIOT BOY.
<R 75>
$YOUR PONY'S WORTH HIS WEIGHT IN GOLD,
$THEN CALM YOUR TERRORS, $BETTY $FOY!
$SHE'S COMING FROM AMONG THE TREES,
$AND NOW, ALL FULL IN VIEW, SHE SEES
$HIM WHOM SHE LOVES, HER IDIOT BOY.
<R 76>
$AND $BETTY SEES THE PONY TOO:
$WHY STAND YOU THUS $GOOD $BETTY $FOY?
$IT IS NO GOBLIN, 'TIS NO GHOST,
'$TIS HE WHOM YOU SO LONG HAVE LOST,
$HE WHOM YOU LOVE, YOUR IDIOT BOY.
<R 77>
$SHE LOOKS AGAIN=HER ARMS ARE UP=
$SHE SCREAMS=SHE CANNOT MOVE FOR JOY;
$SHE DARTS AS WITH A TORRENT'S FORCE,
$SHE ALMOST HAS O'ERTURNED THE HORSE,
$AND FAST SHE HOLDS HER IDIOT BOY.
<R 78>
$AND $JOHNNY BURRS AND LAUGHS ALOUD,
$WHETHER IN CUNNING OR IN JOY,
$I CANNOT TELL; BUT WHILE HE LAUGHS,
$BETTY A DRUNKEN PLEASURE QUAFFS,
$TO HEAR AGAIN HER IDIOT BOY.
<P 99>
<R 79>
$AND NOW SHE'S AT THE PONY'S TAIL,
$AND NOW SHE'S AT THE PONY'S HEAD,
$ON THAT SIDE NOW, AND NOW ON THIS,
$AND ALMOST STIFLED WITH HER BLISS,
$A FEW SAD TEARS DOES $BETTY SHED.
<R 80>
$SHE KISSES O'ER AND O'ER AGAIN,
$HIM WHOM SHE LOVES, HER IDIOT BOY,
$SHE'S HAPPY HERE, SHE'S HAPPY THERE,
$SHE IS UNEASY EVERY WHERE;
$HER LIMBS ARE ALL ALIVE WITH JOY.
<R 81>
$SHE PATS THE PONY, WHERE OR WHEN
$SHE KNOWS NOT, HAPPY $BETTY $FOY!
$THE LITTLE PONY GLAD MAY BE,
$BUT HE IS MILDER FAR THAN SHE,
$YOU HARDLY CAN PERCEIVE HIS JOY.
<R 82>
"$OH! $JOHNNY, NEVER MIND THE $DOCTOR;
"$YOU'VE DONE YOUR BEST, AND THAT IS ALL,"
$SHE TOOK THE REINS, WHEN THIS WAS SAID,
$AND GENTLY TURNED THE PONY'S HEAD
$FROM THE LOUD WATER-FALL.
<R 83>
$BY THIS THE STARS WERE ALMOST GONE,
$THE MOON WAS SETTING ON THE HILL,
$SO PALE YOU SCARCELY LOOKED AT HER:
$THE LITTLE BIRDS BEGAN TO STIR,
$THOUGH YET THEIR TONGUES WERE STILL.
<R 84>
$WIND SLOWLY THROUGH THE WOODY DALE:
<P 100>
$AND WHO IS SHE, BE-TIMES ABROAD,
$THAT HOBBLES UP THE STEEP ROUGH ROAD?
$WHO IS IT, BUT OLD $SUSAN $GALE?
<R 85>
$LONG $SUSAN LAY DEEP LOST IN THOUGHT,
$AND MANY DREADFUL FEARS BESET HER,
$BOTH FOR HER MESSENGER AND NURSE;
$AND AS HER MIND GREW WORSE AND WORSE,
$HER BODY IT GREW BETTER.
<R 86>
$SHE TURNED, SHE TOSS'D HERSELF IN BED,
$ON ALL SIDES DOUBTS AND TERRORS MET HER;
$POINT AFTER POINT DID SHE DISCUSS;
$AND WHILE HER MIND WAS FIGHTING THUS,
$HER BODY STILL GREW BETTER.
<R 87>
"$ALAS! WHAT IS BECOME OF THEM?
"$THESE FEARS CAN NEVER BE ENDURED,
"$I'LL TO THE WOOD."=$THE WORD SCARCE SAID,
$DID $SUSAN RISE UP FROM HER BED,
$AS IF BY MAGIC CURED.
<R 88>
$AWAY SHE POSTS UP HILL AND DOWN,
$AND TO THE WOOD AT LENGTH IS COME,
$SHE SPIES HER FRIENDS, SHE SHOUTS A GREETING;
$OH ME! IT IS A MERRY MEETING,
$AS EVER WAS IN $CHRISTENDOM.
<R 89>
$THE OWLS HAVE HARDLY SUNG THEIR LAST,
$WHILE OUR FOUR TRAVELLERS HOMEWARD WEND;
$THE OWLS HAVE HOOTED ALL NIGHT LONG,
$AND WITH THE OWLS BEGAN MY SONG,
$AND WITH THE OWLS MUST END.
<P 101>
<R 90>
$FOR WHILE THEY ALL WERE TRAVELLING HOME,
$CRIED $BETTY, "$TELL US $JOHNNY, DO,
"$WHERE ALL THIS LONG NIGHT YOU HAVE BEEN,
"$WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD, WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN,
"$AND $JOHNNY, MIND YOU TELL US TRUE."
<R 91>
$NOW $JOHNNY ALL NIGHT LONG HAD HEARD
$THE OWLS IN TUNEFUL CONCERT STRIVE;
$NO DOUBT TOO HE THE MOON HAD SEEN;
$FOR IN THE MOONLIGHT HE HAD BEEN
$FROM EIGHT O'CLOCK TILL FIVE.
<R 92>
$AND THUS TO $BETTY'S QUESTION, HE
$MADE ANSWER, LIKE A TRAVELLER BOLD,
($HIS VERY WORDS $I GIVE TO YOU,)
"$THE COCKS DID CROW TO-WHOO, TO-WHOO,
"$AND THE SUN DID SHINE SO COLD."
=$THUS ANSWERED $JOHNNY IN HIS GLORY,
<V 16> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
LINES WRITTEN NEAR RICHMOND, UPON +
THE THAMES, AT EVENING
$HOW RICH THE WAVE, IN FRONT, IMPREST
$WITH EVENING-TWILIGHT'S SUMMER HUES,
$WHILE FACING THUS THE CRIMSON WEST,
$THE BOAT HER SILENT PATH PURSUES!
$AND SEE HOW DARK THE BACKWARD STREAM!
$A LITTLE MOMENT PAST, SO SMILING!
$AND STILL, PERHAPS, WITH FAITHLESS GLEAM,
$SOME OTHER LOITERER BEGUILING.
<P 102>
<R 2>
$SUCH VIEWS THE YOUTHFUL BARD ALLURE,
$BUT, HEEDLESS OF THE FOLLOWING GLOOM,
$HE DEEMS THEIR COLOURS SHALL ENDURE
'$TILL PEACE GO WITH HIM TO THE TOMB.
=$AND LET HIM NURSE HIS FOND DECEIT,
$AND WHAT IF HE MUST DIE IN SORROW!
$WHO WOULD NOT CHERISH DREAMS SO SWEET,
$THOUGH GRIEF AND PAIN MAY COME TO-MORROW?
<R 3>
$GLIDE GENTLY, THUS FOR EVER GLIDE,
$O $THAMES! THAT OTHER BARDS MAY SEE,
$AS LOVELY VISIONS BY THY SIDE
$AS NOW, FAIR RIVER! COME TO ME.
$OH GLIDE, FAIR STREAM! FOR EVER SO;
$THY QUIET SOUL ON ALL BESTOWING,
'$TILL ALL OUR MINDS FOR EVER FLOW,
$AS THY DEEP WATERS NOW ARE FLOWING.
<R 4>
$VAIN THOUGHT! YET BE AS NOW THOU ART,
$THAT IN THY WATERS MAY BE SEEN
$THE IMAGE OF A POET'S HEART,
$HOW BRIGHT, HOW SOLEMN, HOW SERENE!
$SUCH HEART DID ONCE THE POET BLESS,
$WHO, POURING HERE A ^LATER DITTY,
$COULD FIND NO REFUGE FROM DISTRESS,
$BUT IN THE MILDER GRIEF OF PITY.
<R 5>
$REMEMBRANCE! AS WE GLIDE ALONG,
$FOR HIM SUSPEND THE DASHING OAR,
$AND PRAY THAT NEVER CHILD OF $SONG
<P 103>
$MAY KNOW HIS FREEZING SORROWS MORE.
$HOW CALM! HOW STILL! THE ONLY SOUND,
$THE DRIPPING OF THE OAR SUSPENDED!
=$THE EVENING DARKNESS GATHERS ROUND
$BY VIRTUE'S HOLIEST POWERS ATTENDED.
<V 17> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
EXPOSTULATION AND REPLY
"$WHY $WILLIAM, ON THAT OLD GREY STONE,
"$THUS FOR THE LENGTH OF HALF A DAY,
"$WHY $WILLIAM, SIT YOU THUS ALONE,
"$AND DREAM YOUR TIME AWAY?
"$WHERE ARE YOUR BOOKS? THAT LIGHT BEQUEATH'D
"$TO BEINGS ELSE FORLORN AND BLIND!
"$UP! $UP! AND DRINK THE SPIRIT BREATH'D
"$FROM DEAD MEN TO THEIR KIND.
<R 3>
"$YOU LOOK ROUND ON YOUR MOTHER EARTH,
"$AS IF SHE FOR NO PURPOSE BORE YOU;
"$AS IF YOU WERE HER FIRST-BORN BIRTH,
"$AND NONE HAD LIVED BEFORE YOU!"
<R 4>
$ONE MORNING THUS, BY $ESHTHWAITE LAKE,
$WHEN LIFE WAS SWEET $I KNEW NOT WHY,
$TO ME MY GOOD FRIEND $MATTHEW SPAKE,
$AND THUS $I MADE REPLY.
<R 5>
"$THE EYE IT CANNOT CHUSE BUT SEE,
"$WE CANNOT BID THE EAR BE STILL;
"$OUR BODIES FEEL, WHERE'ER THEY BE,
"$AGAINST, OR WITH OUR WILL.
<P 104>
"$NOR LESS $I DEEM THAT THERE ARE POWERS,
"$WHICH OF THEMSELVES OUR MINDS IMPRESS,
"$THAT WE CAN FEED THIS MIND OF OURS,
"$IN A WISE PASSIVENESS.
<R 7>
"$THINK YOU, MID ALL THIS MIGHTY SUM
"$OF THINGS FOR EVER SPEAKING,
"$THAT NOTHING OF ITSELF WILL COME,
"$BUT WE MUST STILL BE SEEKING?
<R 8>
"=$THEN ASK NOT WHEREFORE, HERE, ALONE,
"$CONVERSING AS $I MAY,
"$I SIT UPON THIS OLD GREY STONE,
"$AND DREAM MY TIME AWAY."
<V 18> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
THE TABLES TURNED +
AN EVENING SCENE, ON THE SAME SUBJECT
$UP! UP! MY FRIEND, AND CLEAR YOUR LOOKS,
$WHY ALL THIS TOIL AND TROUBLE?
$UP! UP! MY FRIEND, AND QUIT YOUR BOOKS,
$OR SURELY YOU'LL GROW DOUBLE.
<R 2>
$THE SUN ABOVE THE MOUNTAIN'S HEAD,
$A FRESHENING LUSTRE MELLOW,
$THROUGH ALL THE LONG GREEN FIELDS HAS SPREAD,
$HIS FIRST SWEET EVENING YELLOW.
<R 3>
$BOOKS! 'TIS A DULL AND ENDLESS STRIFE,
$COME, HEAR THE WOODLAND LINNET,
$HOW SWEET HIS MUSIC; ON MY LIFE
$THERE'S MORE OF WISDOM IN IT.
<P 105>
<R 4>
$AND HARK! HOW BLITHE THE THROSTLE SINGS!
$AND HE IS NO MEAN PREACHER;
$COME FORTH INTO THE LIGHT OF THINGS,
$LET $NATURE BE YOUR TEACHER.
<R 5>
$OUR MINDS AND HEARTS TO BLESS=
$SPONTANEOUS WISDOM BREATHED BY HEALTH,
$TRUTH BREATHED BY CHEARFULNESS.
<R 6>
$ONE IMPULSE FROM A VERNAL WOOD
$MAY TEACH YOU MORE OF MAN;
$OF MORAL EVIL AND OF GOOD,
$THAN ALL THE SAGES CAN.
<R 7>
$SWEET IS THE LORE WHICH NATURE BRINGS;
$OUR MEDDLING INTELLECT
$MIS-SHAPES THE BEAUTEOUS FORMS OF THINGS;
=$WE MURDER TO DISSECT.
<R 8>
$ENOUGH OF SCIENCE AND OF ART;
$CLOSE UP THESE BARREN LEAVES;
$COME FORTH, AND BRING WITH YOU A HEART
$THAT WATCHES AND RECEIVES.
<V 19> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
OLD MAN TRAVELLING +
ANIMAL TRANQUILLITY AND DECAY, +
A SKETCH
$THE LITTLE HEDGE-ROW BIRDS,
$THAT PECK ALONG THE ROAD, REGARD HIM NOT.
$HE TRAVELS ON, AND IN HIS FACE, HIS STEP,
<P 106>
$HIS GAIT, IS ONE EXPRESSION; EVERY LIMB,
$HIS LOOK AND BENDING FIGURE, ALL BESPEAK
$A MAN WHO DOES NOT MOVE WITH PAIN, BUT MOVES
$WITH THOUGHT=$HE IS INSENSIBLY SUBDUED
$TO SETTLED QUIET: HE IS ONE BY WHOM
$ALL EFFORT SEEMS FORGOTTEN, ONE TO WHOM
$LONG PATIENCE HAS SUCH MILD COMPOSURE GIVEN,
$THAT PATIENCE NOW DOTH SEEM A THING, OF WHICH
$HE HATH NO NEED. $HE IS BY NATURE LED
$TO PEACE SO PERFECT, THAT THE YOUNG BEHOLD
$WITH ENVY, WHAT THE OLD MAN HARDLY FEELS.
=$I ASKED HIM WHITHER HE WAS BOUND, AND WHAT
$THE OBJECT OF HIS JOURNEY; HE REPLIED
"$SIR! $I AM GOING MANY MILES TO TAKE
"$A LAST LEAVE OF MY SON, A MARINER,
"$WHO FROM A SEA-FIGHT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO $FALMOUTH,
"$AND THERE IS DYING IN AN HOSPITAL."
<V 20> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
THE COMLAINT OF A FORSAKEN +
INDIAN WOMAN
(($WHEN A $NORTHERN $INDIAN, FROM SICKNESS, IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE
HIS JOURNEY WITH HIS COMPANIONS; HE IS LEFT BEHIND,
COVERED OVER WITH $DEER-SKINS, AND IS SUPPLIED WITH WATER,
FOOD, AND FUEL IF THE SITUATION OF THE PLACE WILL AFFORD IT. $HE
PURSUE, AND IF HE IS UNABLE TO FOLLOW, OR OVERTAKE THEM, HE
PERISHES ALONE IN THE $DESART; UNLESS HE SHOULD HAVE THE GOOD
FORTUNE TO FALL IN WITH SOME OTHER $TRIBES OF $INDIANS. $IT IS
UNNECESSARY TO ADD THAT THE FEMALES ARE EQUALLY, OR STILL
MORE, EXPOSED TO THE SAME FATE. $SEE THAT VERY INTERESTING
<P 107>
WORK, $HEARNE'S $JOURNEY FROM $HUDSON'S $BAY TO THE
$NORTHERN $OCEAN. $WHEN THE $NORTHERN $LIGHTS, AS THE SAME
WRITER INFORMS US, VARY THEIR POSITION IN THE AIR, THEY MAKE
A RUSTLING AND A CRACKLING NOISE. $THIS CIRCUMSTANCE IS
ALLUDED TO IN THE FIRST STANZA OF THE FOLLOWING POEM.
$THE $COMPLAINT, &C.))
$BEFORE $I SEE ANOTHER DAY,
$OH LET MY BODY DIE AWAY!
$IN SLEEP $I HEARD THE NORTHERN GLEAMS;
$THE STARS THEY WERE AMONG MY DREAMS;
$IN SLEEP DID $I BEHOLD THE SKIES,
$I SAW THE CRACKLING FLASHES DRIVE;
$AND YET THEY ARE UPON MY EYES,
$AND YET $I AM $ALIVE.
$BEFORE $I SEE ANOTHER DAY,
$OH LET MY BODY DIE AWAY!
<R 2>
$MY FIRE IS DEAD: IT KNEW NO PAIN;
$YET IS IT DEAD, AND $I REMAIN.
$ALL STIFF WITH ICE THE ASHES LIE;
$AND THEY ARE DEAD, AND $I WILL DIE.
$WHEN $I WAS WELL, $I WISHED TO LIVE,
$FOR CLOTHES, FOR WARMTH, FOR FOOD, AND FIRE;
$BUT THEY TO ME NO JOY CAN GIVE,
$NO PLEASURE NOW, AND NO DESIRE.
$THEN HERE CONTENTED WILL $I LIE;
$ALONE $I CANNOT FEAR TO DIE.
<R 3>
$ALAS! YOU MIGHT HAVE DRAGGED ME ON
$ANOTHER DAY, A SINGLE ONE!
<P 108>
$TOO SOON DESPAIR O'ER ME PREVAILED;
$TOO SOON MY HEARTLESS SPIRIT FAILED;
$WHEN YOU WERE GONE MY LIMBS WERE STRONGER,
$AND $OH HOW GRIEVOUSLY $I RUE,
$THAT, AFTERWARDS, A LITTLE LONGER,
$MY FRIENDS, $I DID NOT FOLLOW YOU!
$FOR STRONG AND WITHOUT PAIN $I LAY,
$MY FRIENDS, WHEN YOU WERE GONE AWAY.
<R 4>
$MY CHILD! THEY GAVE THEE TO ANOTHER,
$A WOMAN WHO WAS NOT THY MOTHER.
$ON ME HOW STRANGELY DID HE LOOK!
$THROUGH HIS WHOLE BODY SOMETHING RAN,
$A MOST STRANGE SOMETHING DID $I SEE;
=$AS IF HE STROVE TO BE A MAN,
$THAT HE MIGHT PULL THE SLEDGE FOR ME.
$AND THEN HE STRETCHED HIS ARMS, HOW WILD!
$OH MERCY! LIKE A LITTLE CHILD.
<R 5>
$MY LITTLE JOY! MY LITTLE PRIDE!
$IN TWO DAYS MORE $I MUST HAVE DIED.
$THEN DO NOT WEEP AND GRIEVE FOR ME;
$I FEEL $I MUST HAVE DIED WITH THEE.
$OH WIND THAT O'ER MY HEAD ART FLYING,
$THE WAY MY FRIENDS THEIR COURSE DID BEND,
$I SHOULD NOT FEEL THE PAIN OF DYING,
$COULD $I WITH THEE A MESSAGE SEND.
$TOO SOON, MY FRIENDS, YOU WENT AWAY;
$FOR $I HAD MANY THINGS TO SAY.
<R 6>
$I'LL FOLLOW YOU ACROSS THE SNOW,
$YOU TRAVEL HEAVILY AND SLOW:
<P 109>
$IN SPITE OF ALL MY WEARY PAIN,
$I'LL LOOK UPON YOUR TENTS AGAIN.
$MY FIRE IS DEAD, AND SNOWY WHITE
$THE WATER WHICH BESIDE IT STOOD;
$THE WOLF HAS COME TO ME TO-NIGHT,
$AND HE HAS STOLEN AWAY MY FOOD.
$FOR EVER LEFT ALONE AM $I,
$THEN WHEREFORE SHOULD $I FEAR TO DIE?
<R 7>
$MY JOURNEY WILL BE SHORTLY RUN,
$I SHALL NOT SEE ANOTHER SUN,
$I CANNOT LIFT MY LIMBS TO KNOW
$IF THEY HAVE ANY LIFE OR NO.
$MY POOR FORSAKEN CHILD! IF $I
$FOR ONCE COULD HAVE THEE CLOSE TO ME,
$WITH HAPPY HEART $I THEN WOULD DIE,
$AND MY LAST THOUGHTS WOULD HAPPY BE.
$I FEEL MY BODY DIE AWAY,
$I SHALL NOT SEE ANOTHER DAY.
<V 21> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
THE CONVICT
$THE GLORY OF EVENING WAS SPREAD THROUGH THE WEST;
=$ON THE SLOPE OF A MOUNTAIN $I STOOD,
$WHILE THE JOY THAT PRECEDES THE CALM SEASON OF REST
$RANG LOUD THROUGH THE MEADOW AND WOOD.
<R 2>
"$AND MUST WE THEN PART FROM A DWELLING SO FAIR?"
$IN THE PAIN OF MY SPIRIT $I SAID,
$AND WITH A DEEP SADNESS $I TURNED, TO REPAIR
$TO THE CELL WHERE THE CONVICT IS LAID.
<P 110>
<R 3>
$RESOUND; AND THE DUNGEONS UNFOLD:
$I PAUSE; AND AT LENGTH, THROUGH THE GLIMMERING GRATE,
$THAT OUTCAST OF PITY BEHOLD.
<R 4>
$HIS BLACK MATTED HEAD ON HIS SHOULDER IS BENT,
$AND DEEP IS THE SIGH OF HIS BREATH,
$AND WITH STEDFAST DEJECTION HIS EYES ARE INTENT
$ON THE FETTERS THAT LINK HIM TO DEATH.
<R 5>
'$TIS SORROW ENOUGH ON THAT VISAGE TO GAZE,
$THAT BODY DISMISS'D FROM HIS CARE;
$YET MY FANCY HAS PIERCED TO HIS HEART, AND POURTRAYS
$MORE TERRIBLE IMAGES THERE.
<R 6>
$HIS BONES ARE CONSUMED, AND HIS LIFE-BLOOD IS DRIED,
$WITH WISHES THE PAST TO UNDO;
$AND HIS CRIME, THROUGH THE PAINS THAT O'ERWHELM HIM, DESCRIED,
$STILL BLACKENS AND GROWS ON HIS VIEW.
<R 7>
$WHEN FROM THE DARK SYNOD, OR BLOOD-REEKING FIELD,
$TO HIS CHAMBER THE MONARCH IS LED,
$ALL SOOTHERS OF SENSE THEIR SOFT VIRTUE SHALL YIELD,
$AND QUIETNESS PILLOW HIS HEAD.
<R 8>
$BUT GRIEF, SELF-CONSUMED, IN OBLIVION WOULD DOZE,
$AND CONSCIENCE HER TORTURES APPEASE,
'MID TUMULT AND UPROAR THIS MAN MUST REPOSE;
$IN THE COMFORTLESS VAULT OF DISEASE.
<R 9>
$WHEN HIS FETTERS AT NIGHT HAVE SO PRESS'D ON HIS LIMBS,
$THAT THE WEIGHT CAN NO LONGER BE BORNE,
<P 111>
$IF, WHILE A HALF-SLUMBER HIS MEMORY BEDIMS,
$THE WRETCH ON HIS PALLET SHOULD TURN,
<R 10>
$WHILE THE JAIL-MASTIFF HOWLS AT THE DULL CLANKING CHAIN,
$FROM THE ROOTS OF HIS HAIR THERE SHALL START
$A THOUSAND SHARP PUNCTURES OF COLD-SWEATING PAIN,
$AND TERROR SHALL LEAP AT HIS HEART.
<R 11>
$BUT NOW HE HALF-RAISES HIS DEEP-SUNKEN EYE,
$AND THE MOTION UNSETTLES A TEAR;
$THE SILENCE OF SORROW IT SEEMS TO SUPPLY,
$AND ASKS OF ME WHY $I AM HERE.
<R 12>
"$POOR VICTIM! NO IDLE INTRUDER HAS STOOD
"$WITH O'ERWEENING COMPLACENCE OUR STATE TO COMPARE,
"$BUT ONE, WHOSE FIRST WISH IS THE WISH TO BE GOOD,
"$IS COME AS A BROTHER THY SORROWS TO SHARE.
"$AT THY NAME THOUGH COMPASSION HER NATURE RESIGN,
"$THOUGH IN VIRTUE'S PROUD MOUTH THY REPORT BE A STAIN,
"$MY CARE, IF THE ARM OF THE MIGHTY WERE MINE,
"$WOULD PLANT THEE WHERE YET THOU MIGHT'ST BLOSSOM AGAIN."
<V 22> <A W> <L 0> <R 1>
LINES WRITTEN A FEW MILES ABOVE +
TINTERN ABBEY +
ON REVISITING THE BANKS OF THE WYE DURING A +
TOUR, JULY 13, 1798
$FIVE YEARS HAVE PASSED; FIVE SUMMERS, WITH THE LENGTH
$OF FIVE LONG WINTERS! AND AGAIN $I HEAR
$THESE WATERS, ROLLING FROM THEIR MOUNTAIN-SPRINGS
<P 112>
$WITH A SWEET INLAND MURMUR. =$ONCE AGAIN
$DO $I BEHOLD THESE STEEP AND LOFTY CLIFFS,
$WHICH ON A WILD SECLUDED SCENE IMPRESS
$THOUGHTS OF MORE DEEP SECLUSION; AND CONNECT
$THE LANDSCAPE WITH THE QUIET OF THE SKY.
$THE DAY IS COME WHEN $I AGAIN REPOSE
$HERE, UNDER THIS DARK SYCAMORE, AND VIEW
$THESE PLOTS OF COTTAGE-GROUND, THESE ORCHARD-TUFTS,
$WHICH, AT THIS SEASON, WITH THEIR UNRIPE FRUITS,
$AMONG THE WOODS AND COPSES LOSE THEMSELVES,
$NOR, WITH THEIR GREEN AND SIMPLE HUE, DISTURB
$THE WILD GREEN LANDSCAPE. $ONCE AGAIN $I SEE
$THESE HEDGE-ROWS, HARDLY HEDGE-ROWS, LITTLE LINES
$OF SPORTIVE WOOD RUN WILD; THESE PASTORAL FARMS
$GREEN TO THE VERY DOOR; AND WREATHES OF SMOKE
$SENT UP, IN SILENCE, FROM AMONG THE TREES,
$WITH SOME UNCERTAIN NOTICE, AS MIGHT SEEM,
$OF VAGRANT DWELLERS IN THE HOUSELESS WOODS,
$OR OF SOME HERMIT'S CAVE, WHERE BY HIS FIRE
$THE HERMIT SITS ALONE. +
<R 2> +
$THOUGH ABSENT LONG,
$THESE FORMS OF BEAUTY HAVE NOT BEEN TO ME,
$AS IS A LANDSCAPE TO A BLIND MAN'S EYE:
$BUT OFT, IN LONELY ROOMS, AND MID THE DIN
$OF TOWNS AND CITIES, $I HAVE OWED TO THEM,
$IN HOURS OF WEARINESS, SENSATIONS SWEET,
$FELT IN THE BLOOD, AND FELT ALONG THE HEART,
$AND PASSING EVEN INTO MY PURER MIND
$WITH TRANQUIL RESTORATION:=FEELINGS TOO
$AS MAY HAVE HAD NO TRIVIAL INFLUENCE
<P 113>
$ON THAT BEST PORTION OF A GOOD MAN'S LIFE;
$HIS LITTLE, NAMELESS, UNREMEMBERED ACTS
$OF KINDNESS AND OF LOVE. $NOR LESS, $I TRUST,
$TO THEM $I MAY HAVE OWED ANOTHER GIFT,
$OF ASPECT MORE SUBLIME; THAT BLESSED MOOD,
$IN WHICH THE BURTHEN OF THE MYSTERY,
$IN WHICH THE HEAVY AND THE WEARY WEIGHT
$OF ALL THIS UNINTELLIGIBLE WORLD
$IS LIGHTEN'D:=THAT SERENE AND BLESSED MOOD,
$IN WHICH THE AFFECTIONS GENTLY LEAD US ON,
$UNTIL, THE BREATH OF THIS CORPOREAL FRAME,
$AND EVEN THE MOTION OF OUR HUMAN BLOOD
$ALMOST SUSPENDED, WE ARE LAID ASLEEP
$IN BODY, AND BECOME A LIVING SOUL:
$WHILE WITH AN EYE MADE QUIET BY THE POWER
$OF HARMONY, AND THE DEEP POWER OF JOY,
$WE SEE INTO THE LIFE OF THINGS. +
<R 3> +
$IF THIS
$BE BUT A VAIN BELIEF, YET, OH! HOW OFT,
$IN DARKNESS, AND AMID THE MANY SHAPES
$OF JOYLESS DAY-LIGHT; WHEN THE FRETFUL STIR
$UNPROFITABLE, AND THE FEVER OF THE WORLD,
$HAVE HUNG UPON THE BEATINGS OF MY HEART,
$HOW OFT, IN SPIRIT, HAVE $I TURNED TO THEE
$O SYLVAN $WYE! $THOU WANDERER THROUGH THE WOODS,
$HOW OFTEN HAS MY SPIRIT TURNED TO THEE!
<R 4>
$AND NOW, WITH GLEAMS OF HALF-EXTINGUISH'D THOUGHT,
$WITH MANY RECOGNITIONS DIM AND FAINT,
$AND SOMEWHAT OF A SAD PERPLEXITY,
$THE PICTURE OF THE MIND REVIVES AGAIN:
$WHILE HERE $I STAND, NOT ONLY WITH THE SENSE
<P 114>
$OF PRESENT PLEASURE, BUT WITH PLEASING THOUGHTS
$THAT IN THIS MOMENT THERE IS LIFE AND FOOD
$FOR FUTURE YEARS. $AND SO $I DARE TO HOPE
$THOUGH CHANGED, NO DOUBT, FROM WHAT $I WAS, WHEN FIRST
$I CAME AMONG THESE HILLS; WHEN LIKE A ROE
$I BOUNDED O'ER THE MOUNTAINS, BY THE SIDES
$OF THE DEEP RIVERS, AND THE LONELY STREAMS,
$WHEREVER NATURE LED; MORE LIKE A MAN
$FLYING FROM SOMETHING THAT HE DREADS, THAN ONE
$WHO SOUGHT THE THING HE LOVED. $FOR NATURE THEN
$AND THEIR GLAD ANIMAL MOVEMENTS ALL GONE BY,)
$TO ME WAS ALL IN ALL.=$I CANNOT PAINT
$WHAT THEN $I WAS. $THE SOUNDING CATARACT
$HAUNTED ME LIKE A PASSION: THE TALL ROCK,
$THE MOUNTAIN, AND THE DEEP AND GLOOMY WOOD,
$THEIR COLOURS AND THEIR FORMS, WERE THEN TO ME
$AN APPETITE: A FEELING AND A LOVE,
$THAT HAD NO NEED OF A REMOTER CHARM,
$BY THOUGHT SUPPLIED, OR ANY INTEREST
$UNBORROWED FROM THE EYE.=$THAT TIME IS PAST,
$AND ALL ITS ACHING JOYS ARE NOW NO MORE,
$AND ALL ITS DIZZY RAPTURES. $NOT FOR THIS
$FAINT $I, NOR MOURN NOR MURMUR: OTHER GIFTS
$HAVE FOLLOWED, FOR SUCH LOSS, $I WOULD BELIEVE,
$ABUNDANT RECOMPENCE. $FOR $I HAVE LEARNED
$TO LOOK ON NATURE, NOT AS IN THE HOUR
$OF THOUGHTLESS YOUTH, BUT HEARING OFTENTIMES
$THE STILL, SAD MUSIC OF HUMANITY,
$NOT HARSH NOR GRATING, THOUGH OF AMPLE POWER
$TO CHASTEN AND SUBDUE. $AND $I HAVE FELT
$A PRESENCE THAT DISTURBS ME WITH THE JOY
$OF ELEVATED THOUGHTS; A SENSE SUBLIME
<P 115>
$OF SOMETHING FAR MORE DEEPLY INTERFUSED,
$WHOSE DWELLING IS THE LIGHT OF SETTING SUNS,
$AND THE ROUND OCEAN, AND THE LIVING AIR,
$AND THE BLUE SKY, AND IN THE MIND OF MAN,
$A MOTION AND A SPIRIT, THAT IMPELS
$ALL THINKING THINGS, ALL OBJECTS OF ALL THOUGHT,
$AND ROLLS THROUGH ALL THINGS. $THEREFORE AM $I STILL
$A LOVER OF THE MEADOWS AND THE WOODS,
$AND MOUNTAINS; AND OF ALL THAT WE BEHOLD
$FROM THIS GREEN EARTH; OF ALL THE MIGHTY WORLD
$OF EYE AND EAR, BOTH WHAT THEY HALF-CREATE,
$AND WHAT PERCEIVE; WELL PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE
$IN NATURE AND THE LANGUAGE OF THE SENSE,
$THE ANCHOR OF MY PUREST THOUGHTS, THE NURSE,
$THE GUIDE, THE GUARDIAN OF MY HEART, AND SOUL
$OF ALL MY MORAL BEING. +
<R 5> +
$NOR, PERCHANCE,
$IF $I WERE NOT THUS TAUGHT, SHOULD $I THE MORE
$SUFFER MY GENIAL SPIRITS TO DECAY:
$OF THIS FAIR RIVER; THOU, MY DEAREST $FRIEND,
$MY DEAR, DEAR $FRIEND, AND IN THY VOICE $I CATCH
$THE LANGUAGE OF MY FORMER HEART, AND READ
$MY FORMER PLEASURES IN THE SHOOTING LIGHTS
$OF THY WILD EYES. $OH! YET A LITTLE WHILE
$MAY $I BEHOLD IN THEE WHAT $I WAS ONCE,
$MY DEAR, DEAR $SISTER! $AND THIS PRAYER $I MAKE,
$KNOWING THAT $NATURE NEVER DID BETRAY
$THE HEART THAT LOVED HER; 'TIS HER PRIVILEGE,
<P 116>
$THROUGH ALL THE YEARS OF THIS OUR LIFE, TO LEAD
$FROM JOY TO JOY: FOR SHE CAN SO INFORM
$THE MIND THAT IS WITHIN US, SO IMPRESS
$WITH QUIETNESS AND BEAUTY, AND SO FEED
$WITH LOFTY THOUGHTS, THAT NEITHER EVIL TONGUES,
$RASH JUDGMENTS, NOR THE SNEERS OF SELFISH MEN,
$NOR GREETINGS WHERE NO KINDNESS IS, NOR ALL
$THE DREARY INTERCOURSE OF DAILY LIFE,
$SHALL E'ER PREVAIL AGAINST US, OR DISTURB
$OUR CHEARFUL FAITH THAT ALL WHICH WE BEHOLD
$IS FULL OF BLESSINGS. $THEREFORE LET THE MOON
$SHINE ON THEE IN THY SOLITARY WALK;
$AND LET THE MISTY MOUNTAIN WINDS BE FREE
$TO BLOW AGAINST THEE: AND IN AFTER YEARS,
$WHEN THESE WILD ECSTASIES SHALL BE MATURED
$INTO A SOBER PLEASURE, WHEN THY MIND
$SHALL BE A MANSION FOR ALL LOVELY FORMS,
$THY MEMORY BE AS A DWELLING-PLACE
$FOR ALL SWEET SOUNDS AND HARMONIES; $OH! THEN,
$IF SOLITUDE, OR FEAR, OR PAIN, OR GRIEF,
$SHOULD BE THY PORTION, WITH WHAT HEALING THOUGHTS
$OF TENDER JOY WILT THOU REMEMBER ME,
$AND THESE MY EXHORTATIONS! $NOR, PERCHANCE,
$IF $I SHOULD BE, WHERE $I NO MORE CAN HEAR
$THY VOICE, NOR CATCH FROM THY WILD EYES THESE GLEAMS
$OF PAST EXISTENCE, WILT THOU THEN FORGET
$THAT ON THE BANKS OF THIS DELIGHTFUL STREAM
$WE STOOD TOGETHER; AND THAT $I, SO LONG
$A WORSHIPPER OF $NATURE, HITHER CAME,
$UNWEARIED IN THAT SERVICE: RATHER SAY
$WITH WARMER LOVE, OH! WITH FAR DEEPER ZEAL
$OF HOLIER LOVE. $NOR WILT THOU THEN FORGET,
$THAT AFTER MANY WANDERINGS, MANY YEARS
$OF ABSENCE, THESE STEEP WOODS AND LOFTY CLIFFS,
$AND THIS GREEN PASTORAL LANDSCAPE, WERE TO ME
$MORE DEAR, BOTH FOR THEMSELVES, AND FOR THY SAKE.