I. THERE was a Boy; ye knew him well, ye Cliffs And islands of Winander! - many a time, Blew mimic hootings to the silent owls, That they might answer him. And they would shout And long halloos, and screams, and echoes loud Of mirth and jocund din! And, when it chanced Listening, a gentle shock of mild surprise Of mountain torrents; or the visible scene With all its solemn imagery, its rocks, Its woods, and that uncertain heaven, received This Boy was taken from his Mates, and died In childhood, ere he was full twelve years old. Fair is the spot, most beautiful the Vale Where he was born: the grassy Church-yard hangs Upon a slope above the village-school; And through that Church-yard when my way has led A long half-hour together I have stood II. ΤΟ ON HER FIRST ASCENT TO THE SUMMIT OF HELVELLYN. INMATE of a mountain Dwelling, Potent was the spell that bound thee Not unwilling to obey; For blue Ether's arms, flung round thee, Stilled the pantings of dismay. Lo! the dwindled woods and meadows! Lo! the clouds, the solemn shadows, And a record of commotion Which a thousand ridges yield; |