Along the river's stony marge 25 30 Said Walter, leaping from the ground, "Down to the stump of yon old yew We'll for our whistles run a race." 35 F -Away the shepherds flew; They leapt they ran-and when they came Right opposite to Dungeon-Ghyll, 40 James stopped with no good will: You'll find a task for half a year. Cross, if you dare, where I shall cross- 45 The other took him at his word, And followed as he led. It was a spot which you may see If ever you to Langdale go; 50 Into a chasm a mighty block Hath fallen, and made a bridge of rock : The gulf is deep below; And, in a basin black and small, Receives a lofty waterfall. 55 With staff in hand across the cleft When list! he hears a piteous moan- Within that black and frightful rent. The lamb had slipped into the stream, 60 65 Into the gulf profound. 70 His dam had seen him when he fell, She from the lofty rocks above Sent forth a cry forlorn, 75 The lamb, still swimming round and round, Made answer to that plaintive sound. When he had learnt what thing it was, 80 A Poet, one who loves the brooks 85 By chance had thither strayed; And there the helpless lamb he found By those huge rocks encompassed round. He drew it from the troubled pool, 90 An unexpected sight! Into their arms the lamb they took, 95 And gently did the Bard Those idle Shepherd-boys upbraid, And bade them better mind their trade. 1800. XII. ANECDOTE FOR FATHERS. "Retine vim istam, falsa enim dicam, si coges. دو EUSEBIUS. I HAVE a boy of five years old; And dearly he loves me. One morn we strolled on our dry walk, Our quiet home all full in view, 5 As we are wont to do. My thoughts on former pleasures ran; IO A long, long year before. A day it was when I could bear 15 The green earth echoed to the feet 20 Birds warbled round me and each trace And so is Liswyn farm. My boy beside me tripped, so slim 25 In very idleness. "Now tell me, had you rather be," I said, and took him by the arm, "On Kilve's smooth shore, by the green sea, 30 Or here at Liswyn farm?" In careless mood he looked at me, "Now, little Edward, say why so: 35 40 "For here are woods, hills smooth and warm : At this my boy hung down his head, 45 His head he raised-there was in sight, 50 Then did the boy his tongue unlock, 55 O dearest, dearest boy! my heart 60 1798. XIII. 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 climb: 4 1 GREAT HOw is a single and conspicuous hill, which rises towards the foot of Thirlmere, on the western side of the beautiful dale of Legberthwaite, along the high road between Keswick and Amble |