INFLUENCE OF NATURAL OBJECTS. 43 That cares not for its home. All shod with steel We hissed along the polished ice, in games Confederate, imitative of the Chase And woodland pleasures, the resounding horn, Of melancholy, not unnoticed, while the stars, Not seldom from the uproar I retired Glanced sideway, leaving the tumultuous throng, When we had given our bodies to the wind, And all the shadowy banks on either side The rapid line of motion, then at once With visible motion her diurnal round! Behind me did they stretch in solemn train, XVI. THE BLIND HIGHLAND BOY. (A Tale told by the Fire-side.) Now we are tired of boisterous joy, There! take your seat, and let me see And, as I promised, I will tell A Highland Boy! - why call him so? Because, my Darlings, ye must know, In land where many a mountain towers, Far higher hills than these of ours! He from his birth had liv'd. He ne'er had seen one earthly sight; The sun, the day; the stars, the night; Or fish in stream, or bird in bower, And yet he neither droopéd nor pined, Nor had a melancholy mind; For God took pity on the Boy, And was his friend; and gave him joy Of which we nothing know. His Mother, too, no doubt, above She thought of him with constant care, And proud she was of heart, when clad Went hand in hand with her. A Dog, too, had he; not for need, And then the bagpipes he could blow; And thus from house to house would go, And all were pleased to hear and see; For none made sweeter melody Than did the poor blind Boy. Yet he had many a restless dream; Near which their Cottage stood. Beside a lake their Cottage stood, |