A day it was when I could bear To think—and think—and think again; My Boy was by my side, so slim In very 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. My little Boy, which like you more," 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 ?" In careless mood he looked at me, While still I held him by the arm, "Now, little Edward, say why so; "For, here are woods, and green There surely must some reason be hills warm: Why you would change sweet Liswyn farm At this, my Boy hung down his head, His head he raised - there was in sight, It caught his eye, he saw it plain – Then did the boy his tongue unlock; O dearest, dearest Boy! my heart XI. RURAL ARCHITECTURE. THERE'S George Fisher, Charles Fleming, and Reginald Shore, Three rosy-cheeked School-boys, 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. And what did these School-boys?-The very next day They went and they built up another. Some little I've seen of blind boisterous works At remembrance whereof my blood sometimes will flag -Then, light-hearted Boys, to the top of the crag! And I'll build up a Giant with you. GREAT HOW is a single and conspicuous hill, which rises towards the foot of Thirl-mere, on the western side of the beautiful dale of Legberthwaite, along the high road between Keswick and Ambleside. |