Accessible to University of Michigan faculty, students, and staff through UMLibText. Available from the Oxford Text Archive, acc.no.: U-151-A 1993

Rime of the ancient mariner was missing from the Oxford Text Archives edition and has been added from the OTA Collected poems of Coleridge. Pagination in Rime reflects that of the Coleridge text Wordsworth and Coleridge ; edited with introduction, notes and appendices by R.L. Brett and A.R. Jones 1 v. RoutledgeLondon 1988

Electronic version includes only the text of the 1798 edition 1798 February 1, 1995Nancy LinHTIedited to parse against HTI DTD. June 20, 1994Gayle Cooper University of Virginia Library, Cataloging Services Dept.TEI header completed August, 1993Peter J. KastorUniversity of Virginia Library Electronic Text CenterUnambiguous line-end hyphenation removed, checked for completeness, spell checked, basic sturctural divisions added, TEI SGML tagging added 1 Section 1 The rime of the ancient mariner ((ARGUMENT How a Ship having passed the Line was driven by storms to the cold Country towards the South Pole; and how from thence she made her course to the tropical Latitude of the Great Pacific Ocean; and of the strange things that befell; and in what manner the Ancyent Marinere came back to his own Country. [ l.b. 1798 ] )) ((An ancient Mariner meeteth three Gallants bidden to a wedding feast and detaineth one.)) It is an ancient Mariner, And he stoppeth one of three. "By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp'st thou me? Section 2 The Bridegroom's doors are opened wide, And I am next of kin; The guests are met, the feast is set: May'st hear the merry din." Section 2 He holds him with his skinny hand, "There was a ship," quoth he. "Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!" Eftsoons his hand dropt he. Section 4 ((The Wedding Guest is spell-bound by the eye of the old seafaring man, and constrained to hear his tale.)) He holds him with his glittering eye -- The Wedding-Guest stood still, And listens like a three years' child: The Mariner hath his will. Section 5 The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone: He cannot choose but hear; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner. Section 6 ((The Mariner tells how the ship sailed southward with a good wind and fair weather till it reached the line.)) "The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared, Merrily did we drop Below the kirk, below the hill, Below the lighthouse top. Section 7 The Sun came up upon the left, Out of the sea came he! And he shone bright, and on the right Went down into the sea. Section 8 Higher and higher every day, Till over the mast at noon -- " The Wedding-Guest here beat his breast, For he heard the loud bassoon. Section 9 ((The Wedding-Guest heareth the bridal music; but the Mariner continueth his tale)) The bride hath paced into the hall, Red as a rose is she; Nodding their heads before her goes The merry minstrelsy. Section 10 The Wedding-Guest he beat his breast, Yet he cannot choose but hear; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner. Section 11 ((The ship driven by a storm toward the south pole.)) "And now the StORMBLAST came, and he Was tyrannous and strong: He struck with his o'ertaking wings, And chased us south along. Section 12 With sloping masts and dipping prow, As who pursued with yell and blow Still treads the shadow of his foe, And forward bends his head, The ship drove fast, loud roared the blast, And southward aye we fled. Section 13 And now there came both mist and snow, And it grew wondrous cold: And ice, mast-high, came floating by, As green as emerald. Section 14 ((The land of ice, and of fearful sounds, where no living thing was to be seen.)) And through the drifts the snowy clifts Did send a dismal sheen: Nor shapes of men nor beasts we ken -- The ice was all between. Section 15 The ice was here, the ice was there, The ice was all around: It cracked and growled, and roared and howled, Like noises in a swound! Section 16 ((Till a great sea-bird, called the Albatross, came through the snow-fog, and was received with great joy and hospitality.)) At length did cross an Albatross, Thorough the fog it came; As if it had been a Christian soul, We hailed it in God's name. Section 17 It ate the food it ne'er had eat, And round and round it flew. The ice did split with a thunder-fit; The helmsman steered us through! Section 18 ((And lo! the Albatross proveth a bird of good omen, and followeth the ship as it returned northward through fog and floating ice.)) And a good south wind sprung up behind; The Albatross did follow, And every day, for food or play, Came to the mariner's hollo! Section 19 In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud, It perched for vespers nine; Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white, Glimmered the white Moon-shine." Section 20 ((The ancient Mariner inhospitably killeth the pious bird of good omen.)) "God save thee, ancient Mariner! From the fiends, that plague thee thus! -- Why look'st thou so?" -- With my cross-bow I shot the AlBATROSS Section 1 The Sun now rose upon the right: Out of the sea came he, Still hid in mist, and on the left Went down into the sea. Section 2 And the good south wind still blew behind, But no sweet bird did follow, Nor any day for food or play Came to the mariners' hollo! ((His shipmates cry out against the ancient Mariner, for killing the bird of good luck.)) Section 3 And I had done a hellish thing, And it would work 'em woe: For all averred, I had killed the bird That made the breeze to blow. Ah wretch! said they, the bird to slay, That made the breeze to blow! Section 4 ((But when the fog cleared off, they justify the same, and thus make themselves accomplices in the crime.)) Nor dim nor red, like God's own head, The glorious Sun uprist: Then all averred, I had killed the bird That brought the fog and mist. 'Twas right, said they, such birds to slay, That bring the fog and mist. Section 5 ((The fair breeze continues; the ship enters the Pacific Ocean, and sails northward, even till it reaches the Line.)) The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, The furrow followed free; We were the first that ever burst Into that silent sea. Section 6 ((The ship hath been suddenly becalmed.)) Down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down, 'Twas sad as sad could be; And we did speak only to break The silence of the sea! Section 7 All in a hot and copper sky, The bloody Sun, at noon, Right up above the mast did stand, No bigger than the Moon. Section 8 Day after day, day after day, We stuck, nor breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean. Section 9 ((And the Albatross begins to be avenged.)) Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink. Section 10 The very deep did rot: O Christ! That ever this should be! Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs Upon the slimy sea. Section 11 About, about, in reel and rout The death-fires danced at night; The water, like a witch's oils, Burnt green, and blue and white. Section 12 ((A Spirit had followed them; one of the invisible inhabitants of this planet, neither departed souls nor angels; concerning whom the learned Jew Josephus, and the Platonic Constantinopolitan, Michael Psellus, may be consulted. They are very numerous, and there is no climate or element without one or more.)) And some in dreams assure'd were Of the Spirit that plagued us so; Nine fathom deep he had followed us From the land of mist and snow. Section 13 And every tongue, through utter drought, Was withered at the root; We could not speak, no more than if We had been choked with soot. Section 15 ((The shipmates, in their sore distress, would fain throw the whole guilt on the ancient Mariner: in sign whereof they hang the dead sea-bird round his neck.)) Ah! well a-day! what evil looks Had I from old and young! Instead of the cross, the Albatross About my neck was hung. Section 1 There passed a weary time. Each throat Was parched, and glazed each eye. A weary time! a weary time! How glazed each weary eye, When looking westward, I beheld A something in the sky. Section 2 ((The ancient Mariner beholdeth a sign in the element afar off.)) At first it seemed a little speck, And then it seemed a mist; It moved and moved, and took at last A certain shape, I wist. Section 3 A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist! And still it neared and neared: As if it dodged a water-sprite, It plunged and tacked and veered. Section 4 ((At its nearer approach, it seemeth to be a ship; and at a dear ransom he freeth his speech from the bonds of thirst.)) With throats unslaked, with black lips baked, We could nor laugh nor wail; Through utter drought all dumb we stood! I bit my arm, I sucked the blood, And cried, A sail! a sail! Section 5 With throats unslaked, with black lips baked, Agape they heard me call: ((A flash of joy;)) Gramercy! they for joy did grin, And all at once their breath drew in, As they were drinking all. Section 6 ((And horror follows. For can it be a ship that comes onward without wind or tide?)) See! see! (I cried) she tacks no more! Hither to work us weal; Without a breeze, without a tide, She steadies with upright keel! Section 7 The western wave was all a-flame. The day was well nigh done! Almost upon the western wave Rested the broad bright Sun; When that strange shape drove suddenly Betwixt us and the Sun. Section 8 ((It seemeth him but the skeleton of a ship.)) And straight the Sun was flecked with bars, (Heaven's Mother send us grace!) As if through a dungeon-grate he peered With broad and burning face. Section 9 ((And its ribs are seen as bars on the face of the setting Sun.)) Alas! (thought I, and my heart beat loud) How fast she nears and nears! Are those her sails that glance in the Sun, Like restless gossameres? Section 10 ((The Spectre-Woman and her Death-mate, and no other on board the skeleton ship.)) Are those her ribs through which the Sun Did peer, as through a grate? And is that Woman all her crew? Is that a DEATH? and are there two? Is DEATH that woman's mate? ((Like vessel, like crew!)) Her lips were red, her looks were free, Her locks were yellow as gold: Her skin was as white as leprosy, The Night-mare LIFE-IN-DEATH was she, Who thicks man's blood with cold. Section 12 ((Death and Life-in-Death have diced for the ship's crew, and she (the latter) winneth the ancient Mariner.)) The naked hulk alongside came, And the twain were casting dice; "The game is done! I've won! I've won!" Quoth she, and whistles thrice. Section 13 ((No twilight within the courts of the sun.)) The Sun's rim dips; the stars rush out: At one stride comes the dark; With far-heard whisper, o'er the sea, Off shot the spectre-bark. Section 14 ((At the rising of the Moon,)) We listened and looked sideways up! Fear at my heart, as at a cup, My life-blood seemed to sip! The stars were dim, and thick the night, The steersman's face by his lamp gleamed white; From the sails the dew did drip -- Till clomb above the eastern bar The horne'd Moon, with one bright star Within the nether tip. Section 15 ((One after another,)) One after one, by the star-dogged Moon, Too quick for groan or sigh, Each turned his face with a ghastly pang, And cursed me with his eye. Section 16 ((His shipmates drop down dead.)) Four times fifty living men, (And I heard nor sigh nor groan) With heavy thump, a lifeless lump, They dropped down one by one. Section 17 ((But Life-in-Death begins her work on the ancient Mariner.)) The souls did from their bodies fly, -- They fled to bliss or woe! And every soul, it passed me by, Like the whizz of my cross-bow! Section 1 ((The Wedding-Guest feareth that a Spirit is talking to him;)) "I fear thee, ancient Mariner! I fear thy skinny hand! And thou art long, and lank, and brown, As is the ribbed sea-sand. Section 2 I fear thee and thy glittering eye, And thy skinny hand, so brown." -- Fear not, fear not, thou Wedding-Guest! This body dropt not down. Section 3 ((But the ancient Mariner assureth him of his bodily life, and proceedeth to relate his horrible penance.)) Alone, alone, all, all alone, Alone on a wide wide sea! And never a saint took pity on My soul in agony. Section 4 ((He despiseth the creatures of the calm,)) The many men, so beautiful! And they all dead did lie: And a thousand thousand slimy things Lived on; and so did I. Section 5 ((And envieth that they should live, and so many lie dead.)) I looked upon the rotting sea, And drew my eyes away; I looked upon the rotting deck, And there the dead men lay. Section 6 I looked to heaven, and tried to pray; But or ever a prayer had gusht, A wicked whisper came, and made My heart as dry as dust. Section 7 I closed my lids, and kept them close, And the balls like pulses beat For the sky and the sea, and the sea and the sky Lay like a load on my weary eye, And the dead were at my feet. Section 8 ((But the curse liveth for him in the eye of the dead men.)) The cold sweat melted from their limbs, Nor rot nor reek did they: The look with which they looked on me Had never passed away. Section 9 An orphan's curse would drag to hell A spirit from on high; But oh! more horrible than that Is the curse in a dead man's eye! Seven days, seven nights, I saw that curse, And yet I could not die. Section 10 ((In his loneliness and fixedness he yearneth towards the journeying Moon, and the stars that still sojourn, yet still move onward; and every where the blue sky belongs to them, and is their appointed rest, and their native country and their own natural homes, which they enter unannounced, as lords that are certainly expected, and yet there is a silent joy at their arrival.)) The moving Moon went up the sky, And no where did abide: Softly she was going up, And a star or two beside -- Section 11 Her beams bemocked the sultry main, Like April hoar-frost spread; But where the ship's huge shadow lay, The charme'd water burnt alway A still and awful red. Section 12 ((By the light of the Moon he beholdeth God's creatures of the great calm.)) Beyond the shadow of the ship, I watched the water-snakes: They moved in tracks of shining white, And when they reared, the elfish light Fell off in hoary flakes. Section 13 Within the shadow of the ship I watched their rich attire: Blue glossy green, and velvet black, They coiled and swam; and every track Was a flash of golden fire. Section 14 ((Their beauty and their happiness.)) O happy living things! no tongue Their beauty might declare: A spring of love gushed from my heart, And I blessed them unaware: Sure my kind saint took pity on me, And I blessed them unaware. Section 15 ((The spell begins to break.)) The self-same moment I could pray; And from my neck so free The Albatross fell off, and sank Like lead into the sea. Section 1 Oh sleep! it is a gentle thing, Beloved from pole to pole! To Mary Queen the praise be given! She sent the gentle sleep from Heaven, That slid into my soul. Section 2 ((By grace of the holy Mother, the ancient Mariner is refreshed with rain.)) The silly buckets on the deck, That had so long remained, I dreamt that they were filled with dew; And when I awoke, it rained. Section 3 My lips were wet, my throat was cold, My garments all were dank; Sure I had drunken in my dreams, And still my body drank. Section 4 I moved, and could not feel my limbs: I was so light -- almost I thought that I had died in sleep, And was a blesse'd ghost. Section 5 ((He heareth sounds and seeth strange sights and commotions in the sky and the element.)) And soon I heard a roaring wind: It did not come anear; But with its sound it shook the sails, That were so thin and sere. Section 6 The upper air burst into life! And a hundred fire-flags sheen, To and fro they were hurried about! And to and fro, and in and out, The wan stars danced between. Section 7 And the coming wind did roar more loud, And the sails did sigh like sedge; And the rain poured down from one black cloud; The Moon was at its edge. Section 8 The thick black cloud was cleft, and still The Moon was at its side: Like waters shot from some high crag, The lightning fell with never a jag, A river steep and wide. Section 9 ((The bodies of the ship's crew are inspired and the ship moves on;)) The loud wind never reached the ship, Yet now the ship moved on! Beneath the lightning and the Moon The dead men gave a groan. Section 10 They groaned, they stirred, they all uprose, Nor spake, nor moved their eyes; It had been strange, even in a dream, To have seen those dead men rise. Section 11 The helmsman steered, the ship moved on; Yet never a breeze up-blew; The mariners all 'gan work the ropes, Where they were wont to do; They raised their limbs like lifeless tools -- We were a ghastly crew. Section 12 The body of my brother's son Stood by me, knee to knee: The body and I pulled at one rope, But he said nought to me. Section 13 ((But not by the souls of the men, nor by daemons of earth or middle air, but by a blessed troop of angelic spirits, sent down by the invocation of the guardian saint.)) "I fear thee, ancient Mariner!" Be calm, thou Wedding-Guest! 'Twas not those souls that fled in pain, Which to their corses came again, But a troop of spirits blest: Section 14 For when it dawned -- they dropped their arms, And clustered round the mast; Sweet sounds rose slowly through their mouths, And from their bodies passed. Section 15 Around, around, flew each sweet sound, Then darted to the Sun; Slowly the sounds came back again, Now mixed, now one by one. Section 16 Sometimes a-dropping from the sky I heard the sky-lark sing; Sometimes all little birds that are, How they seemed to fill the sea and air With their sweet jargoning! Section 17 And now 'twas like all instruments, Now like a lonely flute; And now it is an angel's song, That makes the heavens be mute. Section 18 It ceased; yet still the sails made on A pleasant noise till noon, A noise like of a hidden brook In the leafy month of June, That to the sleeping woods all night Singeth a quiet tune. Section 19 Till noon we quietly sailed on, Yet never a breeze did breathe: Slowly and smoothly went the ship, Moved onward from beneath. Section 20 ((The lonesome Spirit from the south-pole carries on the ship as far as the Line, in obedience to the angelic troop, but still requireth vengeance.)) Under the keel nine fathom deep, From the land of mist and snow, The spirit slid: and it was he That made the ship to go. The sails at noon left off their tune, And the ship stood still also. Section 21 The Sun, right up above the mast, Had fixed her to the ocean: But in a minute she 'gan stir, With a short uneasy motion -- Backwards and forwards half her length With a short uneasy motion. Section 22 Then like a pawing horse let go, She made a sudden bound: It flung the blood into my head, And I fell down in a swound. Section 23 ((The Polar Spirit's fellow-daemons, the invisible inhabitants of the element, take part in his wrong; and two of them relate, one to the other, that penance long and heavy for the ancient Mariner hath been accorded to the Polar Spirit, who returneth southward.)) How long in that same fit I lay, I have not to declare; But ere my living life returned, I heard and in my soul discerned Two voices in the air. Section 24 "Is it he?" quoth one, "Is this the man? By him who died on cross, With his cruel bow he laid full low The harmless Albatross. Section 25 The spirit who bideth by himself In the land of mist and snow, He loved the bird that loved the man Who shot him with his bow." Section 26 The other was a softer voice, As soft as honey-dew: Quoth he, "The man hath penance done, And penance more will do." Section 1

FIRST VOICE "But tell me, tell me! speak again, Thy soft response renewing -- What makes that ship drive on so fast? What is the ocean doing?" Section 2

SECOND VOICE "Still as a slave before his lord, The ocean hath no blast; His great bright eye most silently Up to the Moon is cast -- Section 3 If he may know which way to go; For she guides him smooth or grim. See, brother, see! how graciously She looketh down on him." Section 4

FIRST VOICE ((The mariner hath been cast into a trance; for the angelic power causeth the vessel to drive northward faster than human life could endure.)) "But why drives on that ship so fast, Without or wave or wind?"

SECOND VOICE "The air is cut away before, And closes from behind. Section 5 Fly, brother, fly! more high, more high! Or we shall be belated: For slow and slow that ship will go, When the Mariner's trance is abated." Section 6 ((The supernatural motion is retarded; the Mariner awakes, and his penance begins anew.)) I woke, and we were sailing on As in a gentle weather: 'Twas night, calm night, the moon was high; The dead men stood together. Section 7 All stood together on the deck, For a charnel-dungeon fitter: All fixed on me their stony eyes, That in the Moon did glitter. Section 8 The pang, the curse, with which they died, Had never passed away: I could not draw my eyes from theirs, Nor turn them up to pray. Section 9 ((The curse is finally expiated.)) And now this spell was snapt: once more I viewed the ocean green, And looked far forth, yet little saw Of what had else been seen -- Section 10 Like one, that on a lonesome road Doth walk in fear and dread, And having once turned round walks on, And turns no more his head; Because he knows, a frightful fiend Doth close behind him tread. Section 11 But soon there breathed a wind on me, Nor sound nor motion made: Its path was not upon the sea, In ripple or in shade. Section 12 It raised my hair, it fanned my cheek Like a meadow-gale of spring -- It mingled strangely with my fears, Yet it felt like a welcoming. Section 13 Swiftly, swiftly flew the ship, Yet she sailed softly too: Sweetly, sweetly blew the breeze -- On me alone it blew. Section 14 ((And the ancient Mariner beholdeth his native country.)) Oh! dream of joy! is this indeed The light-house top I see? Is this the hill? is this the kirk? Is this mine own countree? Section 15 We drifted o'er the harbour-bar, And I with sobs did pray -- O let me be awake, my God! Or let me sleep alway. Section 16 The harbour-bay was clear as glass, So smoothly it was strewn! And on the bay the moonlight lay, And the shadow of the Moon Section 17 The rock shone bright, the kirk no less, That stands above the rock: The moonlight steeped in silentness The steady weathercock. Section 18 ((The angelic spirits leave the dead bodies;)) And the bay was white with silent light, Till rising from the same, Full many shapes, that shadows were, In crimson colours came. Section 19 ((And appear in their own forms of light.)) A little distance from the prow Those crimson shadows were: I turned my eyes upon the deck -- Oh, Christ! what saw I there! Section 20 Each corse lay flat, lifeless and flat, And, by the holy rood! A man all light, a seraph-man, On every corse there stood. Section 21 This seraph-band, each waved his hand: It was a heavenly sight! They stood as signals to the land, Each one a lovely light; Section 22 This seraph-band, each waved his hand, No voice did they impart -- No voice; but oh! the silence sank Like music on my heart. Section 23 But soon I heard the dash of oars, I heard the Pilot's cheer; My head was turned perforce away And I saw a boat appear. Section 24 The Pilot and the Pilot's boy, I heard them coming fast: Dear Lord in Heaven! it was a joy The dead men could not blast. Section 25 I saw a third -- I heard his voice: It is the Hermit good! He singeth loud his godly hymns That he makes in the wood. He'll shrieve my soul, he'll wash away The Albatross's blood. Section 1 ((The Hermit of the Wood,)) This Hermit good lives in that wood Which slopes down to the sea. How loudly his sweet voice he rears! He loves to talk with marineres That come from a far countree. Section 2 He kneels at morn, and noon, and eve -- He hath a cushion plump: It is the moss that wholly hides The rotted old oak-stump. Section 3 The skiff-boat neared: I heard them talk, "Why, this is strange, I trow! Where are those lights so many and fair, That signal made but now?" Section 4 ((Approacheth the ship with wonder.)) "Strange, by my faith!" the Hermit said -- "And they answered not our cheer! The planks looked warped! and see those sails, How thin they are and sere! I never saw aught like to them, Unless perchance it were Section 5 Brown skeletons of leaves that lag My forest-brook along; When the ivy-tod is heavy with snow, And the owlet whoops to the wolf below, That eats the she-wolf's young." Section 6 "Dear Lord! it hath a fiendish look -- (The Pilot made reply) I am a-feared" -- "Push on, push on!" Said the Hermit cheerily. Section 7 The boat came closer to the ship, But I nor spake nor stirred; The boat came close beneath the ship, And straight a sound was heard. Section 8 ((The ship suddenly sinketh.)) Under the water it rumbled on, Still louder and more dread: It reached the ship, it split the bay; The ship went down like lead. Section 9 ((The ancient Mariner is saved in the Pilot's boat.)) Stunned by that loud and dreadful sound, Which sky and ocean smote, Like one that hath been seven days drowned My body lay afloat; But swift as dreams, myself I found Within the Pilot's boat. Section 10 Upon the whirl, where sank the ship, The boat spun round and round; And all was still, save that the hill Was telling of the sound. Section 11 I moved my lips -- the Pilot shrieked And fell down in a fit; The holy Hermit raised his eyes, And prayed where he did sit. Section 12 I took the oars: the Pilot's boy, Who now doth crazy go, Laughed loud and long, and all the while His eyes went to and fro. "Ha! ha!" quoth he, "Full plain I see, The Devil knows how to row." Section 13 And now, all in my own countree, I stood on the firm land! The Hermit stepped forth from the boat, And scarcely he could stand. Section 14 ((The ancient Mariner earnestly entreateth the Hermit to shrieve him; and the penance of life falls on him.)) "O shrieve me, shrieve me, holy man!" The Hermit crossed his brow. "Say quick," quoth he, "I bid thee say -- what manner of man art thou?" Section 15 Forthwith this frame of mine was wrenched With a woful agony, Which forced me to begin my tale; And then it left me free. Section 16 ((And ever and anon throughout his future life an agony constraineth him to travel from land to land.)) Since then, at an uncertain hour, That agony returns: And till my ghastly tale is told, This heart within me burns. Section 17 I pass, like night, from land to land; I have strange power of speech; That moment that his face I see, I know the man that must hear me: To him my tale I teach. Section 18 What loud uproar bursts from that door! The wedding-guests are there: But in the garden-bower the bride And bride-maids singing are: And hark the little vesper bell, Which biddeth me to prayer! Section 19 O Wedding-Guest! this soul hath been Alone on a wide wide sea: So lonely 'twas, that God himself Scarce seeme'd there to be. Section 20 O sweeter than the marriage-feast, 'Tis sweeter far to me, To walk together to the kirk With a goodly company! -- Section 21 To walk together to the kirk, And all together pray, While each to his great Father bends, Old men, and babes, and loving friends And youths and maidens gay! Section 22 ((And to teach by his own example, love and reverence to all things that God made and loveth.)) Farewell, farewell! but this I tell To thee, thou Wedding-Guest! He prayeth well, who loveth well Both man and bird and beast. Section 23 He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small; For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all. Section 24 The Mariner, whose eye is bright, Whose beard with age is hoar, Is gone: and now the Wedding-Guest Turned from the bridegroom's door. Section 25 He went like one that hath been stunned, And is of sense forlorn: A sadder and a wiser man, He rose the morrow morn. 2 Section 1 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. -- 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! On visionary views would fancy feed, Till his eye streamed with tears. In this deep vale He died, this seat his only monument. Section 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. 3 Section 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, 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 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, 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. Section 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. Section 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, 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. 4 Section 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. Section 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, 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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; My Father dared his greedy wish gainsay; He loved his old hereditary nook, And ill could I the thought of such sad parting brook. Section 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. Section 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! Section 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: 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. 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, Section 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. Section 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. Section 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, 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. Section 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, Section 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! Section 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! 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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 interrudiv0.titleon short Of hideous sense; I sunk, nor step could crawl, And thence was borne away to neighbouring hospital. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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! 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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: 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. Section 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. Section 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. 5 Section 1 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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, She left her fire, or left her bed, To seek the hedge of Harry Gill. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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, 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. 6 Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 5 No joyless forms shall regulate Our living Calendar: We from to-day, my friend, will date The opening of the year. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. 7 Section 1 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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! Section 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, Alas! 'tis very little, all Which they can do between them. Section 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? Section 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. Section 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. Section 11 One summer-day I chanced to see This old man doing all he could About the root of an old tree, 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. Section 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. Section 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. 8 Section 1 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 5 My boy was by my side, so slim And graceful in his rustic dress! And oftentimes I talked to him, In very idleness. Section 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. Section 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?" Section 8 "And tell me, had you rather be," I said and held him by the arm, "At Kilve's smooth shore by the green sea, "Or here at Liswyn farm? Section 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." Section 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. Section 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? Section 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. Section 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." Section 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. 9 Section 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? Section 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. Section 3 She had a rustic, woodland air, And she was wildly clad; Her eyes were fair, and very fair, -- Her beauty made me glad. Section 4 "Sisters and brothers, little maid, "How many may you be?" "How many? seven in all," she said, And wondering looked at me. Section 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. Section 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." Section 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?" Section 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." Section 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. Section 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. Section 12 "And often after sunset, Sir, "When it is light and fair, "I take my little porringer, "And eat my supper there. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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." Section 16 "How many are you then," said I, "If they two are in Heaven?" The little Maiden did reply, "O Master! we are seven." Section 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!" 10 Section 1 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. Section 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. Section 3 Through primrose-tufts, in that sweet bower, And 'tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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? 11 Section 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, 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. Section 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. Section 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 Of water, never dry; I've measured it from side to side: 'Tis three feet long, and two feet wide. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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!" Section 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!" Section 8 "Now wherefore thus, by day and night, "In rain, in tempest, and in snow, "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?" Section 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. Section 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 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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! Section 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. Section 15 No more I know, I wish I did, And I would tell it all to you; 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. Section 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. Section 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, Ere I had heard of Martha's name, I climbed the mountain's height: A storm came on, and I could see Section 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. Section 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! Section 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. Section 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. Section 22 And some had sworn an oath that she Should be to public justice brought; 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. Section 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!" 12 Section 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; 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. -- 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. Section 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?" Section 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. Section 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, 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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, 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." 13 Section 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! Section 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, 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. 14 Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. 15 Section 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! Section 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? Section 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? Section 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? Section 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. Section 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. Section 7 There's not a house within a mile, No hand to help them in distress: Old Susan lies a bed in pain, And sorely puzzled are the twain, For what she ails they cannot guess. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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." Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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, Section 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. Section 29 But Betty, poor good woman! she, You plainly in her face may read it, Could lend out of that moment's store Five years of happiness or more, To any that might need it. Section 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. Section 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." Section 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." Section 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. Section 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. Section 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." Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 40 "I must be gone, I must away, "Consider, Johnny's but half-wise; "Susan, we must take care of him, "If he is hurt in life or limb" -- "Oh God forbid!" poor Susan cries. Section 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." Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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." Section 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." Section 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. Section 51 And now she's got into the town, And to the doctor's door she hies; 'Tis silence all on every side; The town so long, the town so wide, Is silent as the skies. Section 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. Section 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; Section 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. Section 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!" Section 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! Section 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. Section 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." Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 62 And now she sits her down and weeps; Such tears she never shed before; "Oh dear, dear pony! my sweet joy! "Oh carry back my idiot boy! "And we will ne'er o'erload thee more." Section 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." Section 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! Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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? Section 73 Unto his horse, that's feeding free, He seems, I think, the rein to give; Of moon or stars he takes no heed; Of such we in romances read, -- 'Tis Johnny! Johnny! as I live. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 84 Wind slowly through the woody dale: And who is she, be-times abroad, That hobbles up the steep rough road? Who is it, but old Susan Gale? Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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." Section 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. Section 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, 16 Section 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. Section 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? Section 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. Section 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. Section 5 Remembrance! as we glide along, For him suspend the dashing oar, And pray that never child of Song 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. 17 Section 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. Section 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!" Section 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. Section 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. "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. Section 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? Section 8 " -- Then ask not wherefore, here, alone, "Conversing as I may, "I sit upon this old grey stone, "And dream my time away." 18 Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 5 Our minds and hearts to bless -- Spontaneous wisdom breathed by health, Truth breathed by chearfulness. Section 6 One impulse from a vernal wood May teach you more of man; Of moral evil and of good, Than all the sages can. Section 7 Sweet is the lore which nature brings; Our meddling intellect Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things; -- We murder to dissect. Section 8 Enough of science and of art; Close up these barren leaves; Come forth, and bring with you a heart That watches and receives. 19 Section 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, 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." 20 Section 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 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! Section 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. Section 3 Alas! you might have dragged me on Another day, a single one! 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 6 I'll follow you across the snow, You travel heavily and slow: 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? Section 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. 21 Section 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. Section 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. Section 3 Resound; and the dungeons unfold: I pause; and at length, through the glimmering grate, That outcast of pity behold. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 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. Section 9 When his fetters at night have so press'd on his limbs, That the weight can no longer be borne, If, while a half-slumber his memory bedims, The wretch on his pallet should turn, Section 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. Section 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. Section 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." 22 Section 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 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. Section 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 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. Section 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! Section 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 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 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. Section 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, 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.