XII. ANECDOTE FOR FATHERS. "Retine vim istam, falsa enim dicam, si coges." - EUSEBIUS. I HAVE a boy of five years old; One morn we strolled on our dry walk, My thoughts on former pleasures ran; A day it was when I could bear The green earth echoed to the feet Of lambs that bounded through the glade, From sunshine back to shade. Of inward sadness had its charm; Kilve, thought I, was a favored place, My boy beside me tripped, so slim "Now tell me, had you rather be," 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, 66 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; "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 1798. XIII. RURAL ARCHITECTURE. THERE's George Fisher, Charles Fleming, and Reginald Shore, Three rosy-cheeked schoolboys, the highest not more Than the height of a counsellor's bag; To the top of GREAT HOW* did it please them to climb: And there they built up, without mortar or lime, A Man on the peak of the crag. They built him of stones gathered up as they lay: They built him and christened him all in one day, An urchin both vigorous and hale; And so without scruple they called him Ralph Jones. Now Ralph is renowned for the length of his bones; The Magog of Legberthwaite dale. Just half a week after, the wind sallied forth, From the peak of the crag blew the giant away. day They went and they built up The very next another. -Some little I've seen of blind boisterous works By Christian disturbers more savage than Turks, Spirits busy to do and undo: At rememberance whereof my blood sometimes will flag; * 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. Then, light-hearted Boys, to the top of the crag; And I'll build up a giant with you. XIV. THE PET LAMB. A PASTORAL. 1801. THE dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink; I heard a voice; it said, "Drink, pretty creature, drink!" And, looking o'er the hedge, before me I espied A snow-white mountain-lamb with a Maiden at its side! 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. |