VI. What more he said I cannot tell, The Stream came thundering down the dell I listened, nor aught else could hear; His simple truths did Andrew glean Beside the babbling rills; A careful student he had been Among the woods and hills. One winter's night, when through the trees 1800. II. “I saw a crag, a lofty stone As ever tempest beat! Out of its head an Oak had A Broom out of its feet. grown, The time was March, a cheerful noon— His neighbour thus addressed : III. Eight weary weeks, through rock and clay, Along this mountain's edge, The Frost hath wrought both night and day, Wedge driving after wedge. Look up! and think, above your head What trouble, surely, will be bred; IV. You are preparing as before, your slender shape; To deck And yet, just three years back-no more— You had a strange escape : Down from yon cliff a fragment broke; If breeze or bird to this rough steep For you and your green twigs decoy And, trust me, on some sultry noon, VI. From me this friendly warning take'- And thus, to keep herself awake, 'My thanks for your discourse are due; VII. Disasters, do the best we can, Will reach both great and small ; Who is not wise at all. For me, why should I wish to roam? This spot is my paternal home, It is my pleasant heritage; My father many a happy year, Spread here his careless blossoms, here Attained a good old age. VIII. Even such as his may be my lot. My heart with terrors? Am I not On me such bounty Summer pours, IX. The butterfly, all green and gold, Here in my blossoms to behold When grass is chill with rain or dew, |