From shade to sunshine, and as fleet Birds warbled round me-and each trace My boy beside me tripped, so slim "Now tell me, had rather be," you I said, and took him by the arm, "On Kilve's smooth shore, by the green sea, Or here at Liswyn farm?" In careless mood he looked at me, "Now, little Edward, say why so : "For, here are woods, hills smooth and warm : There surely must some reason be Why you would change sweet Liswyn farm For Kilve by the green sea." At this, my boy hung down his head, His head he raised-there was in sight, Then did the boy his tongue unlock, O dearest, dearest boy! my heart RURAL ARCHITECTURE. THERE'S George Fisher, Charles Fleming, and Reginald Shore, Three rosy-cheeked school-boys, the highest not more To the top of GREAT HOW* did it please them to climb: * GREAT How is a single and conspicuous hill, which rises towards the foot of Thirlmere, on the western side of the beautiful dale of Legberthwaite, along the high road between Keswick and Ambleside. They built him of stones gathered up as they lay : And so without scruple they called him Ralph Jones. Just half a week after, the wind sallied forth, From the peak of the crag blew the giant away. -Some little I've seen of blind boisterous works By Christian disturbers more savage than Turks, At remembrance whereof my blood sometimes will flag; 1801. THE PET-LAMB.† A PASTORALL THE dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink; drink!" And, looking o'er the hedge, before me I espied A snow-white mountain-lamb with a Maiden at its side. * The last stanza does not appear in the Edition of 1815. Written at Grasmere, 1800. c Nor sheep nor kine were near ;* the lamb was all alone, And by a slender cord was tethered to a stone; With one knee on the grass did the little Maiden kneel, While to that mountain-lamb she gave its evening meal. The lamb, while from her hand he thus his supper took, Seemed to feast with head and ears; and his tail with pleasure shook. "Drink, pretty creature, drink," she said in such a tone That I almost received her heart into my own. 'Twas little Barbara Lewthwaite, a child of beauty rare! + I watched them with delight, they were a lovely pair. Now with her empty can the maiden turned away: But ere ten yards were gone her footsteps did she stay. Right towards the lamb she looked; and from a shady place I unobserved could see the workings of her face : If Nature to her tongue could measured numbers bring, Thus, thought I, to her lamb that little Maid might sing: "What ails thee, young One? what? Why pull so at thy cord? Is it not well with thee? well both for bed and board? Thy plot of grass is soft, and green as grass can be ; Rest, little young One, rest; what is't that aileth thee? * No other sheep were near.-Edit. 1815. + She was still residing at Ambleside in 1843, much changed then as to beauty. She was one of two most lovely sisters.-Life, I., 163. What is it thou wouldst seek? What is wanting to thy heart? Thy limbs are they not strong? And beautiful thou art : This grass is tender grass; these flowers they have no peers; And that green corn all day is rustling in thy ears! If the sun be shining hot, do but stretch thy woollen chain, This beech is standing by, its covert thou canst gain; For rain and mountain-storms! the like thou need'st not fear, The rain and storm are things that scarcely can come here. Rest, little young One, rest; thou hast forgot the day When my father found thee first in places far away; Many flocks were on the hills, but thou wert owned by none, And thy mother from thy side for evermore was gone. He took thee in his arms, and in pity brought thee home : A blessed day for thee! then whither wouldst thou roam? A faithful nurse thou hast; the dam that did thee yean Upon the mountain-tops no kinder could have been. Thou know'st that twice a day I have brought thee in this can Fresh water from the brook, as clear as ever ran; |