With happy heart I then would die, THE LAST OF THE FLOCK Composed 1798.-Published 1798 [Produced at the same time as The Complaint, and for the same purpose. The incident occurred in the village of Holford, close by Alfoxden.-I. F.] ED. Included among the "Poems founded on the Affections." I IN distant countries have I been,3 II He saw me, and he turned aside, 5 ΙΟ And with his coat did then essay 1 I followed him, and said, "My friend, "Shame on me, Sir! this lusty Lamb, To-day I fetched him from the rock : III "When I was young, a single man, Though little given to care and thought, Of sheep I numbered a full score, IV "Year after year my stock it grew; Upon the Quantock hills they fed; 4 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. V “Six1 Children, Sir! had I to feed; My pride was tamed, and in our grief I of the Parish asked relief. They said, I was a wealthy man ; My sheep upon the uplands 2 fed, And it was fit that thence I took Whereof to buy us bread. 'Do this: how can we give to you,' VI "I sold a sheep, as they had said, And bought my little children bread, And they were healthy with their food; 45 50 It was a vein that never stopped Like blood-drops from my heart they dropped. 'Till thirty were not left alive 1 1800. They dwindled, dwindled, one by one; And I may say, that many a time I wished they all were gone— 65 1 Reckless of what might come at last VIII "To wicked deeds I was inclined, No ease, within doors or without; I went my work about; And oft was moved to flee from home, And hide my head where wild beasts roam.2 IX "Sir! 'twas a precious flock to me, 1827. I loved my children more and more. God cursed me in my sore distress; I loved my children less; And every week, and every day, X "They dwindled, Sir, sad sight to see! They dwindled one by one away; 2 1836. Oft-times I thought to run away; 1798. 85 90 For me it was a woeful day. 1798. Bent oftentimes to flee from home, And hide my head where wild beasts roam. 1827. A lamb, a wether, and a ewe ;— And then at last from three to two; 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; 95 100 THE IDIOT BOY Composed 1798.-Published 1798 [Alfoxden, 1798. The last stanza, 'The cocks did crow to-whoo, to-whoo, and the sun did shine so cold,' was the foundation of the whole. The words were reported to me by my dear friend Thomas Poole; but I have since heard the same repeated of other idiots. Let me add, that this long poem was composed in the groves of Alfoxden, almost extempore; not a word, I believe, being corrected, though one stanza was omitted. I mention this in gratitude to those happy moments, for, in truth, I never wrote anything with so much glee.-I. F.] One of the "Poems founded on the Affections."-ED. 1 1827. 'Tis eight o'clock,-a clear March night, -Why bustle thus about your door, He shouts from 1798. 5 |