s: “The Sysselmen, wretches with hearts hard as stone,


s: There in the snake-tower despairingly moan.”


s: Greek sang, and Tcherkass, for his pleasure,


s: In the eyes of the first heaven’s azure,


s: O’er his visage his fair turban stealeth;


s: Whilst around him sweet vapours he dealeth.


s: ’Mong the stars round the divan which muster?


s: “Glance nearer, bright star! I have tiding,


s: Has brought this fresh tribute of beauty.


s: “In the padishaw’s garden there bloometh


s: Then the gauzes removes he which shade her,


s: Then, dropping his chebouk, without sense lay.


s: His turban has fallen from his forehead,


s: His mouth foams, his face blackens horrid,—


s: When fortune frowns I’ll strike my lyre;


s: O Jesus, Thou Fountain of solace and gladness


s: Of Heaven’s high Three second person divine;


s: Forgive, O forgive me my blindness and madness,


s: And guide to Thy kingdom this spirit of mine.


s: But Jesus, Creator of earth and of ocean,


s: Who me, a vile sinner, so dearly didst buy;


s: And guide my poor soul to Thy courts in the sky.


s: My seven maids then she changed to wolves,


s: But the hind would not from the sleuth-hounds flee,


s: But the hounds advanced to the hind so near,


s: The Damsel stood under the linden bough,


s: Printed for THOMAS J. WISE, Hampstead, N.W


s: To-night is the night that the wake they hold,


s: Proud Signelil she her mother address’d:


s: Thou’st neither sister nor brother there.


s: “Nor brother-in-law to protect thy youth,


s: “There be the King and his warriors gay,


s: If me thou list thou at home wilt stay.”


s: “But the Queen will be there and her maiden crew,


s: Pray let me go, mother, the dance to view.”


s: So long, so long begged the maiden young,


s: That at length from her mother consent she wrung.


s: “Then go, my child, if thou needs must go,


s: But thy mother ne’er went to the wake I trow.”


s: Then through the thick forest the maiden went,


s: When o’er the green meadows she had won,


s: The Queen and her maidens to bed were gone.


s: They were plying the dance at a furious rate.


s: He stretched forth his hand with an air so free,


s: “Wilt dance, thou pretty maid, with me?”


s: That I with the Queen discourse might hold.”


s: “Come dance,” said the King with a courteous smile,


s: “The Queen will be here in a little while.”


s: Then forward she stepped like a blushing rose,


s: She takes his hand and to dance she goes.


s: But as well as I can another I’ll sing.”


s: To the ears of the Queen in her bed it rang.


s: Says the Queen in her chamber as she lay:


s: “O which of my maidens doth sing so gay?


s: “O which of my maidens doth sing so late,


s: To bed why followed they me not straight?”


s: Then answered the Queen the little foot page,


s: “’Tis none I’ll engage of the maiden band,


s: ’Tis Signil proud from the islet’s strand.”


s: And when they came down to the castle gate


s: There stood the Queen and the whole did see.


s: When the King with Signil she perceived.


s: His hand the King stretched forth so free:


s: The horn she raised to her lips, athirst,


s: “A fairer maid since I first drew breath


s: Ne’er came more guiltless to her death.”


s: To the Church her beauteous corse they bore.


s: But the first sank down like a messan dog


s: Swayne drew the bridle o’er their heads,


s: He girded the horse with a saddle girth,


s: He girded the steed where he was most thick


s: The maids of Hammer, the maids of Pommer,


s: ’Twas seven ells long, and a quarter thick,


s: They pray for brave Swayne Felding’s soul,


s: Whilst thou at Ting this day didst stand


s: Such wicked rumours thou shouldst scorn;


s: “Now bless’d be God on high that dwells,


s: The knights who thus their daughters wed


s: Then forward stepped her plighted youth,


s: Printed for THOMAS J. WISE, Hampstead, N.W.


s: _Designed for the Admonition of Children between the ages


s: _Who ran away from his Nurse, and was eaten by a Lion._


s: When first your toes and then your heels,


s: Your shins and ankles, calves and knees,


s: _Who told Lies, and was Burned to Death._


s: It made one Gasp and Stretch one's Eyes;


s: They galloped, roaring through the Town,


s: You should have heard her Scream and Bawl,


s: _Who caroused in the Dirt and was corrected by His Uncle._


s: _Who was cursed with the Sin of Pride, and Became a Boot-Black._


s: No doubt you're right.... One cannot tell!"


s: _Who played with a Loaded Gun, and, on missing his Sister was


s: The stocks were sold; the Press was squared:


s: _Who slammed Doors for Fun and Perished Miserably._


s: _Who played with a Dangerous Toy, and suffered a Catastrophe of


s: And dreadful shrieks, when, worst of all,


s: An outlandish knight came from the North lands


s: Attend all ye who list to hear our noble England's praise


s: Before the stout harvesters falleth the grain


s: Close by the threshold of a door nail'd fast


s: Did you hear of the curate who mounted his mare


s: Do you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, the dove


s: Gentlefolks, in my time, I've made many a rhyme


s: I sprang to the stirrup, and Joris and he


s: In the hollow tree in the grey old tower


s: Lady Alice was sitting in her bower window


s: Mary-Ann was alone with her baby in arms


s: Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger


s: O then, I see, Queen Mab hath been with you


s: O where have ye been, Lord Randal, my son?


s: O where have you been, my long, long, love


s: O, young Lochinvar is come out of the west


s: Oh! what's the matter? what's the matter


s: On the green banks of Shannon when Sheelah was nigh


s: Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary


s: Our bugles sang truce, for the night-cloud had lower'd


s: Spring, the sweet Spring, is the year's pleasant king


s: The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold


s: The fox and the cat, as they travell'd one day


s: The Knight had ridden down from Wensley Moor


s: The warm sun is failing, the bleak wind is wailing


s: There was a little boy and a little girl


s: There was an old woman, as I've heard tell


s: There's that old hag Moll Brown, look, see, just past


s: Three fishers went sailing away to the west


s: Up, Timothy, up with your staff and away


s: When I was still a boy and mother's pride


s: Who is yonder poor maniac, whose wildly fixed eyes


s: Within a thick and spreading hawthorn bush


s: 'You are old, Father William,' the young man cried


s: XXVII How They Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix


s: XLIX Verses, supposed to be written by Alexander Selkirk


s: LXXX King John and the Abbot of Canterbury


s: LXXXIV On a favourite Cat drowned in a Tub of Goldfishes


s: LXXXVI The Old Man's Comforts and how he gained them


s: XCIX The Seven Sisters, or the Solitude of Binnorie


s: CXXXIV Incident Characteristic of a Favourite Dog


s: CXXXVIII The Nightingale and the Glow-worm


s: CXLII Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford


s: CXLIV The Nun's Lament for Philip Sparrow


s: The Children's Garland from the Best Poets


s: Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger,


s: Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her


s: The flow'ry May, who from her green lap throws


s: The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose.


s: Thus we salute thee with our early song,


s: Whilst the scritch owl, scritching loud,


s: Through the house give glimmering light;


s: Do you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, the dove,


s: The linnet, and thrush say 'I love, and I love!'


s: In the winter they're silent, the wind is so strong;


s: What it says I don't know, but it sings a loud song.


s: But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather,


s: And singing and loving--all come back together.


s: But the lark is so brimful of gladness and love,


s: The green fields below him, the blue sky above,


s: That he sings, and he sings, and forever sings he,


s: Nor whence ye came, nor what your light.


s: And see the shepherds feed their flocks,


s: The shepherd swains shall dance and sing


s: Thought I, what more than heavenly thing


s: She, seeing mine eyes still on her were,


s: How sayst thou, honest friend, quoth she,


s: Then he's the first blind man, I'll swear,


s: They wept, and, turning homeward, cried,


s: Then downward from the steep hill's edge


s: From the throat of the overflowing spout!


s: Eight years and five round-rolling moons


s: Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace


s: And saw within the moonlight in his room,


s: Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,


s: Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,


s: And to the Presence in the room he said,


s: 'What writest thou?'--The vision raised its head,


s: And with a look made of all sweet accord,


s: Answer'd, 'The names of those who love the Lord.'


s: 'And is mine one?' said Abou. 'Nay, not so,'


s: But cheerly still; and said, 'I pray thee then,


s: Write me as one that loves his fellow men.'


s: The angel wrote and vanished. The next night


s: It came again with a great wakening light,


s: And show'd the names whom love of God had bless'd


s: And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.


s: Pale warriors, death-pale were they all;


s: Though the sedge is wither'd from the lake,


s: Her sails from heaven received no motion,


s: Without either sign or sound of their shock


s: The waves flow'd over the Inchcape Rock;


s: So little they rose, so little they fell,


s: Had placed that bell on the Inchcape Rock;


s: On a buoy in the storm it floated and swung,


s: When the Rock was hid by the surges' swell,


s: The sea-birds scream'd as they wheel'd round,


s: And he fix'd his eye on the darker speck.


s: And I'll plague the priest of Aberbrothok.'


s: And he cut the bell from the Inchcape float.


s: Down sunk the bell, with a gurgling sound,


s: Quoth Sir Ralph, 'The next who comes to the Rock


s: And now grown rich with plunder'd store,


s: He steers his course for Scotland's shore.


s: Quoth Sir Ralph, 'It will be lighter soon,


s: For there is the dawn of the rising moon.'


s: 'Can'st hear,' said one, 'the breakers roar?


s: For methinks we should be near the shore;


s: But I wish I could hear the Inchcape Bell.'


s: They hear no sound, the swell is strong;


s: Though the wind hath fallen, they drift along,


s: Till the vessel strikes with a shivering shock:


s: One dreadful sound could the Rover hear,


s: The fiends below were ringing his knell.


s: 'O, where have ye been, Lord Randal, my son?


s: O, where have ye been, my handsome young man?'


s: 'I have been to the wood; mother, make my bed soon,


s: For I'm weary with hunting, and fain would lie down.'


s: 'Where got ye your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?


s: Where got ye your dinner, my handsome young man?'


s: 'I dined with my love; mother, make my bed soon,


s: 'What got ye to dinner, Lord Randal, my son?


s: What got ye to dinner, my handsome young man?'


s: 'I got eels boil'd in broth; mother, make my bed soon,


s: 'And where are your bloodhounds, Lord Randal, my son?


s: And where are your bloodhounds, my handsome young man?'


s: 'O, they swell'd and they died; mother, make my bed soon,


s: 'O, I fear ye are poison'd, Lord Randal, my son!


s: O, I fear ye are poison'd, my handsome young man!'


s: 'O, yes, I am poison'd! mother, make my bed soon,


s: For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain would lie down.'


s: They took a plough and ploughed him down,


s: And they hae ta'en his very heart's blood,


s: Mary-Ann was alone with her baby in arms,


s: For her husband was out in the night and the storms,


s: And she, as the wind in the elm-heads did roar,


s: Did grieve to think he was all night out of door.


s: And her kinsfolk and neighbours did say of her child


s: That a prettier never did babble and smile


s: And his mother did toss him, and kiss him, and call


s: Him her darling, and life, and her hope and her all.


s: But she found in the evening the child was not well


s: And she felt she could give all the world for to tell


s: And she thought on him last in her prayers at night,


s: And she look'd at him last as she put out the light.


s: And she found him grow worse in the dead of the night


s: And she press'd him against her warm bosom so tight,


s: And there, in his anguish, a-nestling he lay,


s: Till his struggles grew weak, and his cries died away.


s: And the moon was a-shining down into the place


s: And his mother could see that his lips and his face


s: And her tongue was a-tied, and her still heart did swell


s: Till her senses came back with the first tear that fell.


s: Never more can she feel his warm face in her breast


s: For his eyes are a-shut, and his hands are at rest,


s: For his soul we do know is to heaven a-fled,


s: Where no pain is a-known, and no tears are a-shed.


s: To walk in the air, how pleasant and fair,


s: The fairest of flowers adorning the bowers,


s: Then folding their sheep, they hasten to sleep;


s: Next morning is ringing with birds that are singing,


s: Their days are spent, whose minds are bent


s: But still, where general choice is good,


s: This, one of those small builders proved


s: The budding flowers, peeped forth the nest,


s: 'Tis gone! (so seemed it) and we grieved,


s: Concealed from friends who might disturb


s: The wind had no more strength than this,


s: While o'er him fast through sail and shroud,


s: But the noblest thing that perished there


s: The clouds look black, the glass is low,


s: The soot falls down, the spaniels sleep,


s: Through the clear stream the fishes rise,


s: And see yon rooks, how odd their flight,


s: I sprang to the stirrup, and Joris, and he;


s: I galloped, Dirck galloped, we galloped all three;


s: 'Good speed!' cried the watch, as the gate-bolts undrew;


s: 'Speed!' echoed the wall to us galloping through;


s: Behind shut the postern, the lights sank to rest,


s: And into the midnight we galloped abreast.


s: Not a word to each other; we kept the great pace


s: Neck by neck, stride by stride, never changing our place;


s: I turned in my saddle and made its girths tight,


s: Then shortened each stirrup, and set the pique right,


s: Rebuckled the cheek-strap, chained slacker the bit,


s: Nor galloped less steadily Roland a whit.


s: 'Twas moonset at starting; but, while we drew near


s: Lokeren, the cocks crew and twilight dawned clear;


s: At Boom, a great yellow star came out to see;


s: At Düffeld, 'twas morning as plain as could be;


s: And from Mecheln church-steeple we heard the half-chime,


s: So Joris broke silence with, 'Yet there is time!'


s: At Aerschot, up leaped of a sudden the sun,


s: And against him the cattle stood black every one,


s: To stare through the mist at us galloping past,


s: And I saw my stout galloper, Roland, at last,


s: With resolute shoulders each butting away


s: The haze, as some bluff river headland its spray;


s: And his low head and crest, just one sharp ear bent back


s: For my voice, and the other pricked out on his track;


s: And one eye's black intelligence,--ever that glance


s: O'er its white edge at me, his own master, askance!


s: And the thick heavy spume-flakes which aye and anon


s: His fierce lips shook upwards in galloping on.


s: By Hasselt, Dirck groaned; and cried Joris, 'Stay spur!


s: Your Roos galloped bravely, the fault's not in her,


s: We'll remember at Aix'--for one heard the quick wheeze


s: Of her chest, saw the stretched neck, and staggering knees,


s: And sunk tail, and horrible heave of the flank,


s: As down on her haunches she shuddered and sank.


s: Past Loos and past Tongres, no cloud in the sky;


s: The broad sun above laughed a pitiless laugh,


s: 'Neath our foot broke the brittle bright stubble like chaff;


s: Till over by Dalhem a dome-tower sprang white,


s: And 'Gallop,' cried Joris, 'for Aix is in sight!'


s: 'How they'll greet us!' and all in a moment his roan


s: Rolled neck and croup over, lay dead as a stone;


s: And there was my Roland to bear the whole weight


s: Of the news which alone could save Aix from her fate,


s: With his nostrils like pits full of blood to the brim,


s: And with circles of red for his eye-sockets' rim.


s: Then I cast my loose buff-coat, each holster let fall,


s: Shook off both my jack-boots, let go belt and all,


s: Stood up in the stirrup, leaned, patted his ear,


s: Called my Roland his pet name, my horse without peer;


s: Clapped my hands, laughed and sang, any noise, bad or good,


s: Till at length into Aix Roland galloped and stood.


s: And all I remember is friends flocking round


s: As I sate with his head 'twixt my knees on the ground,


s: And no voice but was praising this Roland of mine,


s: As I poured down his throat our last measure of wine,


s: Which (the burgesses voted by common consent)


s: Was no more than his due who brought good news from Ghent.


s: Then they trotted away, for the wind it grew high


s: One acorn they left and no more might you spy.


s: Next came a Raven that liked not such folly:


s: He belonged, they did say, to the witch Melancholy!


s: Flew low in the rain and his feathers not wet.


s: He picked up the acorn and buried it straight


s: By the side of a river both deep and great.


s: Over hill, over dale, did the black Raven go.


s: At length he came back, and with him a she,


s: And the acorn was grown to a tall oak tree.


s: They built them a nest in the topmost bough,


s: And young ones they had and were happy enow.


s: But soon came a woodman in leathern guise,


s: His brow, like a pent house, hung over his eyes.


s: He'd an axe in his hand, not a word he spoke,


s: But with many a hem! and a sturdy stroke,


s: At length he brought down the poor Raven's old oak.


s: His young ones were killed, for they could not depart,


s: And their mother did die of a broken heart.


s: The boughs from the trunk the woodman did sever;


s: And they floated it down on the course of the river.


s: They sawed it in planks, and its bark they did strip,


s: And with this tree and others they made a good ship.


s: The ship it was launched; but in sight of the land


s: Such a storm there did rise as no ship could withstand.


s: It bulged on a rock, and the waves rushed in fast:


s: Round and round flew the Raven and cawed to the blast.


s: He heard the last shriek of the perishing souls--


s: See! see! o'er the top-mast the mad water rolls!


s: Right glad was the Raven, and off he went fleet,


s: And Death riding home on a cloud he did meet,


s: And he thanked him again and again for this treat:


s: They had taken his all, and revenge it was sweet.


s: The school-boy wandering through the wood


s: Come listen to me, you gallants so free,


s: The youngster was cloth'd in scarlet red,


s: 'Stand off, stand off!' the young man said,


s: 'You must come before our master straight,


s: And that I have kept this seven long years,


s: 'Yesterday I should have married a maid,


s: And chosen to be an old knight's delight,


s: 'What is thy name?' then said Robin Hood,


s: 'By the faith of my body,' then said the young man,


s: 'What wilt thou give me?' said Robin Hood,


s: 'I have no money,' then quoth the young man,


s: 'What hast thou here?' the bishop then said,


s: 'O welcome, O welcome,' the bishop he said.


s: 'You shall have no music,' quoth Robin Hood,


s: 'Till the bride and the bridegroom I see.'


s: 'This is not a fit match,' quoth bold Robin Hood,


s: Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth,


s: And you shall be married at this same time,


s: 'That shall not be,' the bishop he said,


s: They shall be three times asked in the church,


s: Robin Hood pulled off the bishop's coat,


s: 'By the faith of my body,' then Robin said,


s: He asked them seven times in the church,


s: 'Who gives me this maid?' said Little John;


s: And he that takes her from Allin a Dale,


s: And thus having end of this merry wedding,


s: And so they returned to the merry greenwood,


s: Sweet as the roses, and blue as the sky,


s: Down there do the dear little violets lie;


s: Hiding their heads where they scarce may be seen,


s: By the leaves you may know where the violet hath been.


s: The glen is white with the drifted snow,


s: And the little grey church on the windy shore,


s: She will not come though you call all day.


s: Where the spent lights quiver and gleam;


s: Where the salt weed sways in the stream;


s: Feed in the ooze of their pasture ground;


s: On a red gold throne in the heart of the sea.


s: She comb'd its bright hair, and she tended it well,


s: When down swung the sound of the far-off bell,


s: She sigh'd, she look'd up through the clear green sea,


s: She said, 'I must go, for my kinsfolk pray


s: In the little grey church on the shore to-day.


s: 'Twill be Easter-time in the world--ah me!


s: And I lose my poor soul, Merman, here with thee.'


s: I said: 'Go up, dear heart, through the waves:


s: Say thy prayer, and come back to the kind sea-caves.'


s: She smiled, she went up through the surf in the bay.


s: 'The sea grows stormy, the little ones moan;


s: Long prayers,' I said, 'in the world they say.'


s: 'Come,' I said, and we rose through the surf in the bay.


s: Where the sea-stocks bloom, to the white-walled town,


s: Through the narrow paved streets, where all was still


s: To the little grey church on the windy hill.


s: From the church came a murmur of folk at their prayers,


s: But we stood without in the cold blowing airs.


s: We climb'd on the graves on the stones worn with rains,


s: And we gazed up the aisle through the small leaded panes.


s: She sat by the pillar; we saw her clear;


s: 'Margaret, hist! come quick, we are here.


s: Dear heart,' I said, 'we are here alone.


s: The sea grows stormy, the little ones moan.'


s: For her eyes were seal'd to the holy book.


s: 'Loud prays the priest; shut stands the door.'


s: She sits at her wheel in the humming town,


s: From the humming street, and the child with its toy,


s: From the priest and the bell, and the holy well,


s: She steals to the window and looks at the sand;


s: For the cold strange eyes of a little Mermaiden,


s: The western wind was wild and dank with foam,


s: The creeping tide came up along the sand,


s: The blinding mist came down and hid the land--


s: Oh, is it weed, or fish, or floating hair?--


s: They row'd her in across the rolling foam,


s: But still the boatmen hear her call the cattle home,


s: "By thy long grey beard and glittering eye,


s: "The Bridegroom's doors are open'd wide,


s: "The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared,


s: The ship drove fast, loud roared the blast,


s: "And through the drifts the snowy clifts


s: It cracked and growled, and roared and howled,


s: "And a good south wind sprung up behind;


s: Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white


s: From the fiends that plague thee thus!--


s: Why look'st thou so?" "With my cross-bow


s: 'Ah wretch!' said they, 'the bird to slay,


s: 'Twas right, said they, such birds to slay,


s: "Down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down,


s: "And every tongue, through utter drought,


s: "And straight the Sun was flecked with bars,


s: "Alas! (thought I, and my heart beat loud)


s: Are those her sails that glance in the Sun,


s: "Are those her ribs through which the Sun


s: "The Sun's rim dips; the stars rush out:


s: "The stars were dim and thick the night,


s: The steersman's face by his lamp gleamed white,


s: "They groaned, they stirred, they all uprose


s: "The helmsman steered, the ship moved on,


s: They raised their limbs like lifeless tools--


s: 'Twas not those souls that fled in pain,


s: "What loud uproar bursts from that door!


s: I might as well have asked some landsman


s: Attend all ye who list to hear our noble England's praise,


s: I tell of the thrice famous deeds she wrought in ancient days,


s: When that great fleet invincible against her bore in vain


s: The richest spoils of Mexico, the stoutest hearts of Spain.


s: It was about the lovely close of a warm summer day,


s: There came a gallant merchant-ship full sail to Plymouth Bay;


s: Her crew hath seen Castile's black fleet beyond Aurigny's isle,


s: At earliest twilight, on the waves lie heaving many a mile;


s: At sunrise she escaped their van, by God's especial grace;


s: And the tall Pinta, till the noon, had held her close in chase.


s: Forthwith a guard at every gun was placed along the wall;


s: The beacon blazed upon the roof of Edgcumbe's lofty hall;


s: Many a light fishing-bark put out to pry along the coast;


s: And with loose rein and bloody spur rode inland many a post.


s: With his white hair unbonneted the stout old sheriff comes;


s: Behind him march the halberdiers, before him sound the drums;


s: His yeomen, round the market-cross, make clear an ample space,


s: For there behoves him to set up the standard of her Grace.


s: And haughtily the trumpets peal, and gaily dance the bells,


s: As slow upon the labouring wind the royal blazon swells.


s: Look how the lion of the sea lifts up his ancient crown,


s: And underneath his deadly paw treads the gay lilies down.


s: So glared he when at Agincourt in wrath he turned to bay,


s: And crushed and torn beneath his paws the princely hunters lay.


s: Ho! strike the flag-staff deep, Sir Knight; ho! scatter flowers,


s: Ho! gunners fire a loud salute: ho! gallants, draw your blades;


s: Thou sun, shine on her joyously; ye breezes waft her wide;


s: Our glorious SEMPER EADEM, the banner of our pride.


s: The freshening breeze of eve unfurled that banner's massy fold,


s: The parting gleam of sunshine kissed that haughty scroll of gold;


s: Such night in England ne'er had been, nor ne'er again shall be.


s: From Eddystone to Berwick bounds, from Lynn to Milford Bay,


s: That time of slumber was as bright and busy as the day;


s: For swift to east and swift to west the ghastly war-flame spread;


s: Far on the deep the Spaniard saw, along each southern shire,


s: The rugged miners poured to war from Mendip's sunless caves.


s: The sentinel on Whitehall gate looked forth into the night,


s: At once on all her stately gates arose the answering fires;


s: At once the loud alarum clashed from all her reeling spires;


s: And from the furthest wards was heard the rush of hurrying feet,


s: And the broad streams of flags and pikes rushed down each roaring


s: And broader still became the blaze, and louder still the din,


s: As fast from every village round the horse came spurring in:


s: All night from tower to tower they sprang; they sprang from hill


s: Till the proud Peak unfurled the flag o'er Darwin's rocky dales,


s: Till like volcanoes flared to Heaven the stormy hills of Wales,


s: And tower and hamlet rose in arms o'er all the boundless plain;


s: Till Belvoir's lordly terraces the sign to Lincoln sent,


s: And Lincoln sped the message on o'er the wide vale of Trent;


s: Till Skiddaw saw the fire that burned on Gaunt's embattled pile,


s: And the red glare of Skiddaw roused the burghers of Carlisle.


s: My jib how she smack'd through the breeze!


s: So adieu to the white cliffs of Britain,


s: For if some hard rock we should split on,


s: When we entered the Straits of Gibraltar


s: The squall tore the mainsail to shivers,


s: Helm a-weather, the hoarse boatswain cries;


s: Brace the foresail athwart, see she quivers,


s: Just while we were furling the mainsail,


s: While they sank down in peace to old Davy,


s: Well, what would you have? We were stranded,


s: Of three hundred that sail'd, never landed


s: A perilous life, and sad as life may be,


s: Hath the lone fisher, on the lonely sea,


s: O'er the wild waters labouring far from home,


s: For some bleak pittance e'er compelled to roam:


s: Few hearts to cheer him through his dangerous life,


s: And none to aid him in the stormy strife:


s: Without the comfort, hope,--with scarce a friend,


s: He looks through life and only sees its end!


s: There, take my love's gold handkerchief,


s: And the skipper had taken his little daughter,


s: And her bosom white as the hawthorn buds,


s: And he watch'd how the veering flaw did blow


s: The skipper he blew a whiff from his pipe,


s: She shuddered and paused like a frighted steed,


s: 'Come hither! come hither! my little daughter,


s: He wrapped her warm in his seaman's coat,


s: 'O father! I hear the church bells ring,


s: ''Tis a fog-bell on a rock-bound coast!'


s: Lashed to the helm, all stiff and stark,


s: The lantern gleam'd through the gleaming snow


s: Then the maiden clasped her hands and prayed


s: And she thought of Christ who stilled the waves


s: And fast through the midnight dark and drear,


s: The breakers were right beneath her bows,


s: She struck where the white and fleecy waves


s: But the cruel rocks they gored her sides


s: Her rattling shrouds all sheathed in ice,


s: Like a vessel of glass she stove and sank,


s: And he saw her hair like the brown sea-weed,


s: Heav'n save us all from a death like this,


s: Our voices keep tune and our oars keep time.


s: Soon as the woods on the shore look dim,


s: We'll sing at St. Anne's our parting hymn.


s: Row, brothers, row, the stream runs fast,


s: The Rapids are near and the daylight's past.


s: There is not a breath the blue wave to curl;


s: Blow, breezes, blow, the stream runs fast,


s: Shall see us float over thy surges soon.


s: Saint of this green isle! hear our prayers,


s: Oh, grant us cool heavens, and favouring airs.


s: 'The blackening wave is edged with white;


s: The fishers have heard the Water-Sprite,


s: Whose screams forbode that wreck is nigh.


s: 'Twas broader than the watch-fires' light,


s: Blazed every rose-carved buttress fair--


s: There are twenty of Roslin's barons bold


s: But the sea-caves rung, and the wild winds sung,


s: The stream was smooth as glass, we said, 'Arise and let's away:'


s: The Siren sang beside the boat that in the rushes lay;


s: And spread the sail, and strong the oar, we gaily took our way.


s: When shall the sandy bar be cross'd? when shall we find the bay?


s: The broadening flood swells slowly out o'er cattle-dotted plains,


s: The labourer looks up to see our shallop speed away.


s: Now are the clouds like fiery shrouds; the sun, superbly large,


s: Slow as an oak to woodman's stroke sinks flaming at their marge.


s: The waves are bright with mirror'd light as jacinths on our way.


s: The moon is high up in the sky, and now no more we see


s: The spreading rivers either bank, and surging distantly


s: There booms a sullen thunder as of breakers far away.


s: Now shall the sandy bar be cross'd, now shall we find the bay!


s: The sea-gull shrieks high overhead, and dimly to our sight


s: When once the sandy bar is cross'd, and we are in the bay.


s: What rises white and awful as a shroud-enfolded ghost?


s: What roar of rampant tumult bursts in clangour on the coast?


s: Pull back! pull back! The raging flood sweeps every oar away.


s: O stream, is this thy bar of sand? O boat, is this the bay?


s: _Supposed to be written by Alexander Selkirk, during his solitary


s: That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf


s: Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,


s: While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough


s: And the white-throat builds, and all the swallows--


s: Hark! where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge


s: Leans to the field and scatters on the clover


s: Blossoms and dewdrops--at the bent spray's edge--


s: That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,


s: Lest you should think he never could re-capture


s: And though the fields look rough with hoary dew,


s: All will be gay when noontide wakes anew


s: The buttercups, the little children's dower,


s: --Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower!


s: There were some that ran, and some that leapt,


s: So he lean'd his head on his hands, and read


s: For the peace of his soul he read that book


s: 'And well,' quoth he, 'I know, for truth,


s: 'Down went the corse with a hollow plunge,


s: 'O heaven, to think of their white souls,


s: 'With breathless speed, like a soul in chase,


s: In a lonesome wood, with heaps of leaves,


s: 'And still no peace for the restless clay


s: The poor man's hope, the friend without a peer.


s: Jaffar was dead, slain by a doom unjust;


s: Of what the good, and e'en the bad might say,


s: Ordain'd that no man living from that day


s: Should dare to speak his name on pain of death.


s: All but the brave Mondeer.--He, proud to show


s: How far for love a grateful soul could go,


s: And facing death for very scorn and grief,


s: (For his great heart wanted a great relief,)


s: Stood forth in Bagdad, daily in the square


s: Where once had stood a happy house, and there


s: 'Bring me this man,' the caliph cried: the man


s: Was brought, was gazed upon. The mutes began


s: To bind his arms. 'Welcome, brave cords,' cried he;


s: 'From bonds far worse Jaffar deliver'd me;


s: From wants, from shames, from loveless household fears;


s: Made a man's eyes friends with delicious tears;


s: With his great self. How can I pay Jaffar?'


s: Haroun, who felt that on a soul like this


s: The mightiest vengeance could but fall amiss,


s: Now deigned to smile, as one great lord of fate


s: He said, 'Let worth grow frenzied if it will;


s: The caliph's judgment shall be master still.


s: Go, and since gifts so move thee, take this gem,


s: And hold the giver as thou deemest fit.'


s: 'Gifts!' cried the friend. He took; and holding it


s: High toward the heavens, as though to meet his star,


s: Exclaim'd, 'This, too, I owe to thee, Jaffar.'


s: But know, fond maid, and know, false man,


s: She spoke, she died, her corse was borne


s: Then what were perjur'd Colin's thoughts?


s: All men who know thee call their brother:


s: Cover'd with leaves the little children,


s: What ail'd thee, robin, that thou could'st pursue


s: The cheerer, thou, of our in-door sadness,


s: He is the friend of our summer gladness:


s: His beautiful wings in crimson are drest,


s: Their uncle should possess their wealth;


s: And brings them straight unto his house,


s: That they should take these children young


s: 'Stay here,' quoth he, 'I'll bring you bread,


s: Yea, fearful fiends did haunt his house,


s: His barns were fired, his goods consumed,


s: In the hollow tree in the grey old tower,


s: Dull, hated, despised in the sunshine hour,


s: Not a bird of the forest e'er mates with him;


s: But at night, when the woods grow still and dim,


s: O, when the night falls, and roosts the fowl,


s: Then, then is the reign of the horned owl!


s: And the owl hath a bride who is fond and bold,


s: And with eyes like the shine of the moonshine cold


s: Not a feather she moves, not a carol she sings,


s: But when her heart heareth his flapping wings,


s: O, when the moon shines, and the dogs do howl,


s: Then, then is the cry of the horned owl!


s: Mourn not for the owl nor his gloomy plight!


s: If a prisoner he be in the broad daylight,


s: Nor lonely the bird, nor his ghastly mate;


s: Thrice fonder, perhaps, since a strange dark fate


s: So when the night falls, and dogs do howl,


s: Sing Ho! for the reign of the horned owl!


s: But the king of the night is the bold brown owl.


s: The Knight had ridden down from Wensley Moor,


s: With the slow motion of a summer's cloud,


s: And now, as he approach'd a vassal's door,


s: 'Bring forth another horse!' he cried aloud.


s: 'Another horse!' that shout the vassal heard,


s: And saddled his best steed, a comely grey;


s: Sir Walter mounted him; he was the third


s: Which he had mounted on that glorious day.


s: Joy sparkled in the prancing courser's eyes;


s: The horse and horseman are a happy pair;


s: But though Sir Walter like a falcon flies,


s: A rout this morning left Sir Walter's Hall,


s: And as they galloped made the echoes roar;


s: But horse and man are vanished, one and all;


s: Such race, I think, was never seen before.


s: Calls to the few tired dogs that yet remain;


s: Blanche, Swift, and Music, noblest of their kind,


s: Follow, and up the weary mountain strain.


s: The Knight halloed, he cheered and chid them on


s: With suppliant gestures and upbraidings stern;


s: But breath and eyesight fail; and, one by one,


s: The dogs are stretched among the mountain fern.


s: Where is the throng, the tumult of the race?


s: This chase, it looks not like an earthly chase:


s: The poor Hart toils along the mountain-side;


s: I will not stop to tell how far he fled,


s: Nor will I mention by what death he died;


s: But now the Knight beholds him lying dead.


s: Dismounting, then, he leaned against a thorn;


s: He had no follower, dog, nor man, nor boy:


s: He neither cracked his whip nor blew his horn,


s: But gazed upon the spoil with silent joy.


s: Close to the thorn on which Sir Walter leaned,


s: Weak as a lamb the hour that it is yeaned,


s: And white with foam as if with cleaving sleet:


s: Upon his side the Hart was lying stretched;


s: His nostril touched a spring beneath a hill,


s: And with the last deep groan his breath had fetched;


s: The waters of the spring were trembling still.


s: Sir Walter walked all round, north, south, and west,


s: And gazed, and gazed upon that darling spot.


s: And climbing up the hill, (it was at least


s: Four roods of sheer ascent), Sir Walter found


s: Three several hoof-marks, which the hunted beast


s: Had left imprinted in the grassy ground.


s: Sir Walter wiped his face and cried, 'Till now


s: Such sight was never seen by human eyes;


s: Three leaps have borne him from this lofty brow,


s: Down to the very fountain where he lies.


s: 'I'll build a pleasure house upon this spot,


s: 'Twill be the traveller's shed, the pilgrim's cot,


s: A place of love for damsels that are coy.


s: And they who do make mention of the same,


s: From this day forth shall call it Hart Leap Well.


s: 'And, gallant stag, to make thy praises known,


s: Three several pillars, each a rough hewn stone,


s: And planted where thy hoofs the turf have grazed.


s: 'And in the summer time, when days are long,


s: And with the dancers and the minstrels' song,


s: We will make merry in that pleasant bower.


s: 'Till the foundations of the mountains fail,


s: My mansion with its arbour shall endure;


s: The joy of them who till the fields of Swale,


s: And them who dwell among the woods of Ure!'


s: Then home he went and left the Hart, stone-dead,


s: With breathless nostrils stretch'd above the spring.


s: Soon did the Knight perform what he had said;


s: And far and wide the fame thereof did ring.


s: Ere thrice the moon into her port had steered,


s: A cup of stone received the living well;


s: Three pillars of rude stone Sir Walter reared,


s: And built a house for pleasure in the dell.


s: And near the fountain flowers of stature tall,


s: With trailing plants and trees were intertwined,--


s: Which soon composed a little sylvan hall,


s: And thither, when the summer days were long,


s: And with the dancers and the minstrels' song,


s: Made merriment within that pleasant bower.


s: The Knight, Sir Walter, died in course of time,


s: To freeze the blood I have no ready arts;


s: To pipe a simple song to thinking hearts.


s: It chanced that I saw standing in a dell


s: Three aspens at three corners of a square;


s: And one, not four yards distant, near a well.


s: And pulling now the rein my horse to stop,


s: I saw three pillars standing in a line,--


s: The last stone-pillar on a dark hill top.


s: The trees were grey, with neither arms nor head;


s: Half wasted the square mound of tawny green,


s: So that you might just say, as then I said,


s: 'Here in old time the hand of man hath been.'


s: I looked upon the hill both far and near,


s: More doleful place did never eye survey;


s: It seemed as if the spring-time came not here,


s: I stood in various thoughts and fancies lost,


s: When one, who was in shepherd's garb attired,


s: And what this place might be I then inquired.


s: The Shepherd stopped, and that same story told


s: Which in my former rhyme I have rehearsed;


s: 'A jolly place,' said he, 'in times of old!


s: But something ails it now; the spot is curst.


s: 'You see those lifeless stumps of aspen wood--


s: Some say that they are beeches, others elms--


s: These were the bower; and here a mansion stood,


s: 'The arbour does its own condition tell;


s: You see the stones, the fountain, and the stream;


s: But as to the great lodge! you might as well


s: Hunt half the day for a forgotten dream.


s: 'There's neither dog nor heifer, horse nor sheep,


s: Will wet his lips within that cup of stone;


s: And oftentimes when all are fast asleep,


s: This water doth send forth a dolorous groan.


s: 'Some say that here a murder has been done,


s: And blood cries out for blood; but for my part


s: I've guessed, when I've been sitting in the sun,


s: 'What thoughts must through the creature's brain have past!


s: Even from the topmost stone upon the steep,


s: Are but three bounds--and look, Sir, at this last--


s: 'For thirteen hours he ran a desperate race;


s: What cause the Hart might have to love this place,


s: And come and make his death-bed near the well.


s: 'Here on the grass, perhaps, asleep he sank,


s: Lulled by the fountain in the summer tide;


s: This water was perhaps the first he drank,


s: When he had wandered from his mother's side.


s: 'In April here beneath the flowering thorn,


s: He heard the birds their morning carols sing;


s: And he, perhaps, for aught we know, was born


s: Not half a furlong from that self-same spring.


s: 'Now here is neither grass nor pleasant shade;


s: Till trees, and stones, and fountain all are gone.'


s: 'Grey-headed Shepherd, thou hast spoken well;


s: Small difference lies between thy creed and mine.


s: This beast not unobserved by Nature fell;


s: His death was mourned by sympathy Divine.


s: 'The Being that is in the clouds and air,


s: That is in the green leaves among the groves,


s: For the unoffending creatures whom he loves.


s: 'The pleasure house is dust, behind, before,


s: This is no common waste, no common gloom.


s: But Nature, in due course of time, once more


s: Shall here put on her beauty and her bloom.


s: 'She leaves these objects to a slow decay,


s: That what we are, and have been, may be known;


s: 'One lesson, Shepherd, let us two divide,


s: Taught both by what she shows and what conceals,


s: Never to blend our pleasure or our pride,


s: With sorrow of the meanest thing that feels.'


s: Before the stout harvesters falleth the grain,


s: As when the strong storm-wind is reaping the plain,


s: But yonder aslant comes the silvery rain,


s: Like a long line of spears brightly burnish'd and tall.


s: Adown the white highway like cavalry fleet,


s: It dashes the dust with its numberless feet.


s: Like a murmurless school, in their leafy retreat,


s: The wild birds sit listening the drops round them beat;


s: And the boy crouches close to the blackberry wall.


s: The swallows alone take the storm on their wing,


s: And, taunting the tree-sheltered labourers, sing,


s: Like pebbles the rain breaks the face of the spring,


s: While a bubble darts up from each widening ring;


s: And the boy in dismay hears the loud shower fall.


s: But soon are the harvesters tossing their sheaves;


s: The robin darts out from his bower of leaves;


s: The wren peereth forth from the moss-covered eaves;


s: And the rain-spatter'd urchin now gladly perceives


s: That the beautiful bow bendeth over them all.


s: But when thou'st drunk, and danced, and sung


s: I have found where the wood-pigeons breed;


s: For he ne'er could be true, she averred,


s: And the former called the latter 'Little prig;'


s: Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;


s: Flapp'd round the cage with joyous screech,


s: O, what could it grieve for? Its feet were tied


s: With a silken thread of my own hands' weaving;


s: Sweet little red feet! why should you die--


s: Why would you leave me, sweet bird! why?


s: Why, pretty thing! would you not live with me?


s: I kiss'd you oft and gave you white peas;


s: Why not live sweetly, as in the green trees?


s: When I was still a boy and mother's pride,


s: A bigger boy spoke up to me so kind-like,


s: 'If you do like, I'll treat you with a ride


s: In this wheel-barrow.' So then I was blind-like


s: To what he had a-working in his mind-like,


s: He tipp'd me in a-grinning back behind-like.


s: So when a man may come to me so thick-like,


s: And shake my hand where once he pass'd me by,


s: And tell me he would do me this or that,


s: I can't help thinking of the big boy's trick-like,


s: Oh! what's the matter? what's the matter?


s: The neighbours tell, and tell you truly,


s: And then her three hours' work at night,


s: Where from sea-blasts the hawthorns lean,


s: But when the ice our streams did fetter,


s: You would have said, if you had met her,


s: And cried, 'I've caught you then at last!'


s: She prayed, her withered hand uprearing,


s: His face was gloom, his heart was sorrow,


s: Yet still his jaws and teeth they chatter,


s: That in winter the corn was growing yet;


s: For he had a plentiful last year's store,


s: And they should have food for the winter there.


s: The poor folk flock'd from far and near;


s: The great barn was full as it could hold


s: Of women and children, and young and old.


s: And while for mercy on Christ they call,


s: He set fire to the barn and burnt them all.


s: 'I' faith, 'tis an excellent bonfire!' quoth he,


s: 'And the country is greatly obliged to me,


s: And he slept that night like an innocent man,


s: Where his picture hung against the wall,


s: For the rats had eaten it out of the frame.


s: As he look'd there came a man from the farm,


s: 'My lord, I open'd your granaries this morn,


s: 'Ten thousand rats are coming this way--


s: 'I'll go to my tower on the Rhine,' replied he,


s: The walls are high, and the shores are steep,


s: And the stream is strong, and the water deep.'


s: And reach'd his tower, and barr'd with care


s: All the windows, doors, and loopholes there.


s: On his pillow from whence the screaming came.


s: He listen'd and look'd; it was only the cat;


s: But the Bishop he grew more fearful for that,


s: At the army of rats that was drawing near.


s: For they have swum over the river so deep,


s: And they have climb'd the shores so steep,


s: To do the work for which they were sent.


s: They are not to be told by the dozen or score,


s: By thousands they come, and by myriads and more


s: Such numbers had never been heard of before,


s: Such a judgment had never been witness'd of yore.


s: And faster and faster his beads did he tell,


s: The gnawing of their teeth he could hear.


s: And in at the windows, and in at the door,


s: And through the walls helter-skelter they pour,


s: And down from the ceiling, and up through the floor,


s: From the right and the left, from behind and before,


s: From within and without, from above and below,


s: They have whetted their teeth against the stones,


s: For they were sent to do judgment on him.


s: Of an old worshipful gentleman who had a great estate,


s: That kept a brave old house at a bountiful rate,


s: And an old porter to relieve the poor at his gate;


s: With an old lady whose anger one word assuages;


s: They every quarter paid their old servants their wages,


s: And never knew what belong'd to coachman, footman, nor pages,


s: But kept twenty old fellows with blue coats and badges;


s: With an old study fill'd full of learned old books,


s: With an old reverend chaplain, you might know him by his looks,


s: With an old buttery hatch worn quite off the hooks,


s: And an old kitchen, that maintain'd half a dozen old cooks;


s: With an old hall hung about with pikes, guns, and bows,


s: With old swords, and bucklers, that had borne many shrewd blows,


s: And an old frieze coat to cover his worship's trunk hose,


s: And a cup of old sherry to comfort his copper nose;


s: With a good old fashion when Christmas was come


s: To call in all his old neighbours with bagpipe and drum,


s: With a good cheer enough to furnish every old room,


s: With an old falconer, huntsman, and a kennel of hounds,


s: That never hawk'd nor hunted but in his own grounds,


s: Who like a wise man kept himself within his own bounds,


s: And when he died gave every child a thousand good pounds;


s: The morning came, the chaise was brought,


s: So three doors off the chaise was stay'd,


s: Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,


s: 'Good lack!' quoth he, 'yet bring it me,


s: His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat,


s: He grasp'd the mane with both his hands,


s: The dogs did bark, the children scream'd,


s: 'Stop, stop, John Gilpin!--Here's the house'--


s: 'What news? what news? your tidings tell;


s: Whence straight he came, with hat and wig,


s: Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast!


s: 'This shall be yours, when you bring back


s: 'Stop thief!--stop thief!--a highwayman!'


s: 'Please heaven but to preserve my health,


s: Lords, Earls, and Viscounts shall adore me.


s: Gentlefolks, in my time, I've made many a rhyme,


s: Lays some claim to applause, and you'll grant it, because


s: We all know Sir Sidney, a man of such kidney,


s: Give him one ship or two, and without more ado,


s: He'd engage if he met a whole fleet, he would;


s: Thus he took, every day, all that came in his way,


s: Order'd accidents so, that, while taking the foe,


s: His captors, right glad of the prize they now had,


s: And swore he should stay, lock'd up till doomsday,


s: But he swore he'd be hang'd if he did, he did;


s: So Sir Sid got away, and his gaoler next day


s: Mon prisonnier 'scape, I 'ave got in von scrape,


s: And I fear I must run away, too, I must;


s: They fought the dogs and killed the cats,


s: And licked the soup from the cook's own ladles,


s: ''Tis clear,' cried they, 'our Mayor's a noddy:


s: Rouse up, Sirs! Give your brains a racking


s: Or, sure as fate, we'll send you packing!'


s: 'Bless us,' cried the Mayor, 'what's that?


s: 'Come in!' the Mayor cried, looking bigger:


s: Quoth one, 'It's as if my great-grandsire,


s: Starting up at the trump of Doom's tone,


s: Had walked this way from his painted tombstone!'


s: And, 'Please your honours,' said he, 'I'm able,


s: The mole, the toad, the newt, the viper;


s: Last June, from his huge swarm of gnats;


s: 'One? fifty thousand!' was the exclamation


s: Of the astonished Mayor and Corporation.


s: And green and blue his sharp eyes twinkled,


s: Like a candle flame where salt is sprinkled;


s: And ere three shrill notes the pipe had uttered,


s: And the grumbling grew to a mighty rumbling;


s: And out of the houses the rats came tumbling--


s: Great rats, small rats, lean rats, brawny rats.


s: Brown rats, black rats, grey rats, tawny rats,


s: From street to street he piped, advancing,


s: And step for step they followed dancing,


s: Which was, 'At the first shrill notes of the pipe,


s: And a leaving ajar of conserve cupboards,


s: And a drawing the corks of train-oil-flasks,


s: And a breaking the hoops of butter casks;


s: (Sweeter far than by harp or by psaltery


s: Is breathed) called out, Oh rats, rejoice!


s: The world is grown to one vast drysaltery!


s: So munch on, crunch on, take your nuncheon,


s: All ready staved, like a great sun shone


s: Just as methought it said, "Come, bore me!"


s: You should have heard the Hamelin people


s: Ringing the bells till they rocked the steeple;


s: 'Go,' cried the Mayor, 'and get long poles!


s: Poke out the nests, and block up the holes!


s: Of the Piper perked in the market-place,


s: With a 'First, if you please, my thousand guilders!'


s: A thousand guilders! The Mayor looked blue,


s: With Claret, Moselle, Vin-de-Grave, Hock;


s: Their cellar's biggest butt with Rhenish.


s: 'Besides,' quoth the Mayor, with a knowing wink,


s: 'Our business was done at the river's brink;


s: And what's dead can't come to life, I think.


s: So, friend, we're not the folks to shrink


s: From the duty of giving you something for drink,


s: And a matter of money to put in your poke;


s: Of them, as you very well know, was in joke--


s: Beside, our losses have made us thrifty:


s: Of the head-cook's pottage, all he's rich in,


s: For having left in the caliph's kitchen,


s: With you, don't think I'll bate a stiver!


s: 'How?' cried the Mayor, 'd'ye think I'll brook


s: Laid his long pipe of smooth, straight cane;


s: There was a rustling that seemed like a bustling


s: Of merry crowds justling at pitching and hustling,


s: Small feet were pattering, wooden shoes clattering,


s: Little hands clapping and little tongues chattering,


s: And like fowls in a farmyard when barley is scattering


s: And sparkling eyes and teeth like pearls,


s: The wonderful music with shouting and laughter.


s: As if they were changed into blocks of wood,


s: As the Piper turned from the High Street


s: Right in the way of their sons and daughters!


s: And to Koppelberg Hill his steps addressed,


s: When, lo! as they reached the mountain's side,


s: And the Piper advanced, and the children followed,


s: The door in the mountain side shut fast.


s: And could not dance the whole of the way;


s: 'It's dull in our town since my playmates left!


s: For he led us, he said, to a joyous land,


s: Where waters gushed and fruit-trees grew,


s: The sparrows were brighter than peacocks here,


s: And horses were born with eagles' wings;


s: The Mayor sent east, west, north, and south


s: But when they saw 'twas a lost endeavour,


s: And Piper and dancers were gone for ever,


s: The place of the children's last retreat,


s: They called it, the Pied Piper's Street--


s: Was sure for the future to lose his labour.


s: On which their neighbours lay such stress,


s: To their fathers and mothers having risen


s: Of scores out with all men,--especially pipers,


s: And whether they pipe us free from rats or from mice


s: If we've promised them aught, let us keep our promise.


s: Of a notable prince, that was called King John;


s: And he ruled England with main and with might,


s: For he did great wrong and maintain'd little right.


s: And I'll tell you a story, a story so merry,


s: How for his housekeeping and high renown,


s: They rode post for him to fair London town.


s: And fifty gold chains, without any doubt,


s: 'How now, father Abbot; I hear it of thee,


s: Thou keepest a far better house than me;


s: And for thy housekeeping and high renown,


s: I fear thou work'st treason against my crown.'


s: 'My liege,' quoth the Abbot, 'I would it were known,


s: I never spend nothing but what is my own;


s: And I trust your grace will do me no deere


s: For spending of my own true gotten geere.'


s: 'Yes, yes, father Abbot, thy fault it is high,


s: And now for the same thou needest must die;


s: For except thou canst answer me questions three,


s: Thy head shall be smitten from thy bodie.


s: 'And first,' quoth the king, 'when I'm in this stead,


s: With my crown of gold so fair on my head,


s: Among all my liege-men so noble of birth,


s: Thou must tell me to one penny what I am worth.


s: How soon I may ride the whole world about;


s: And at the third question thou must not shrink,


s: But tell me here truly what I do think.'


s: 'O these are hard questions for my shallow wit,


s: But if you will give me but three weeks space,


s: I'll do my endeavour to answer your Grace.'


s: 'Now three weeks space to thee will I give,


s: And that is the longest time thou hast to live;


s: For if thou dost not answer my questions three,


s: Thy lands and thy livings are forfeit to me.'


s: Away rode the Abbot all sad at that word,


s: That could with his learning an answer devise.


s: Then home rode the Abbot of comfort so cold,


s: And he met his shepherd a going to fold:


s: 'How now, my lord Abbot, you are welcome home;


s: What news do you bring us from good King John?'


s: 'Sad news, sad news, shepherd, I must give,


s: That I have but three days more to live;


s: For if I do not answer him questions three,


s: 'The first is to tell him there in that stead,


s: With his crown of gold so fair on his head,


s: Among all his liege-men so noble of birth,


s: To within one penny of what he is worth.


s: 'The second, to tell him without any doubt,


s: How soon he may ride this whole world about;


s: And at the third question I must not shrink,


s: But tell him there truly what he does think.'


s: 'Now cheer up, sir Abbot, did you never hear yet


s: That a fool he may learn a wise man wit?


s: Lend me horse, and serving men, and your apparel,


s: And I'll ride to London to answer your quarrel.


s: 'Nay, frown not, if it hath been told unto me,


s: There is none shall know us in fair London town.'


s: 'Now horses and serving men thou shalt have,


s: With sumptuous array most gallant and brave,


s: With crozier, and mitre, and rochet, and cope,


s: Fit to appear 'fore our father the Pope.'


s: 'Now welcome, sir Abbot,' the King he did say,


s: ''Tis well thou'rt come back to keep thy day:


s: For and if thou canst answer my questions three,


s: Thy life and thy living both saved shall be.


s: 'And first, when thou seest me here in this stead,


s: With my crown of gold so fair on my head,


s: Among all my liege-men so noble of birth,


s: For I think thou art one penny worser than he.'


s: The King he laugh'd, and swore by St. Bittel,


s: 'I did not think I had been worth so little!


s: Now secondly tell me, without any doubt,


s: How soon I may ride this whole world about.'


s: 'You must rise with the sun, and ride with the same,


s: And then your Grace need not make any doubt


s: But in twenty-four hours you'll ride it about.'


s: The King he laugh'd, and swore by St. Jone,


s: 'I did not think it could be gone so soon.


s: Now from the third question thou must not shrink,


s: But tell me here truly what I do think.'


s: 'Yea, that I shall do and make your Grace merry;


s: But I'm his poor shepherd, as plain you may see,


s: That am come to beg pardon for him and for me.'


s: The King he laugh'd, and swore by the mass,


s: 'I'll make thee lord abbot this day in his place!'


s: 'Nay, nay, my liege, be not in such speed,


s: For alack, I can neither write nor read.'


s: 'Four nobles a week, then, I will give thee,


s: For this merry jest thou hast shewn unto me;


s: And tell the old Abbot, when thou com'st home,


s: Thou hast brought him a pardon from good King John.'


s: She knocked, and straight a man he cried,


s: 'Who's there?' ''Tis I,' she then replied;


s: Down stairs he ran, and when he see her,


s: Cried out, 'My child, how cam'st thou here?'


s: Nor none else, (though full well they knew


s: Which when they heard, they were amazed,


s: Ruthless beasts, they will not cheer thee;


s: She stretch'd in vain to reach the prize;


s: Thieves dread the searching eye of power


s: Though we like harmless sheep should feed,


s: 'You are old, Father William,' the young man cried,


s: 'The few locks which are left you are grey;


s: You are hale, Father William, a hearty old man


s: 'In the days of my youth,' Father William replied,


s: 'I remember'd that youth would fly fast,


s: And abused not my health and my vigour at first,


s: And yet you lament not the days that are gone,


s: That I never might grieve for the past.'


s: You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death,


s: 'I am cheerful, young man,' Father William replied,


s: In the days of my youth I remember'd my God,


s: For the deck it was their field of fame,


s: Than this sojourn would have been dearer,


s: On twigs and staves so rudely fashion'd;


s: Our bugles sang truce, for the night-cloud had lower'd,


s: And the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky;


s: And thousands had sunk on the ground, overpower'd,


s: The weary to sleep, and the wounded to die.


s: When reposing that night on my pallet of straw,


s: At the dead of the night a sweet vision I saw,


s: And thrice ere the morning I dreamt it again.


s: Methought, from the battle-field's dreadful array,


s: Far, far I had roam'd on a desolate track;


s: 'Twas autumn--and sunshine arose on the way


s: To the home of my fathers, that welcomed me back.


s: I flew to the pleasant fields traversed so oft


s: In life's morning march, when my bosom was young;


s: I heard my own mountain-goats bleating aloft,


s: And knew the sweet strain that the corn-reapers sung.


s: Then pledged we the wine-cup, and fondly I swore,


s: From my home and my weeping friends never to part,


s: My little ones kiss'd me a thousand times o'er,


s: And my wife sobb'd aloud in her fulness of heart.


s: Stay, stay with us,--rest, thou art weary and worn!


s: And fain was their war-broken soldier to stay;


s: But sorrow return'd with the dawning of morn,


s: And the voice in my dreaming ear melted away.


s: Jane followed, fought! ah, hapless story!


s: ''Tis some poor fellow's skull,' said he,


s: Not old, though something past her prime:


s: Majestic in her person, tall and straight;


s: And like a Roman matron's was her mien and gait.


s: Old times, thought I, are breathing there;


s: She begged an alms like one in poor estate;


s: I looked at her again nor did my pride abate.


s: She answered, soon as she the question heard,


s: 'A simple burthen, Sir, a little singing bird.'


s: If aught that he had owned might still remain for me.


s: When last he sailed, he left the bird behind;


s: From bodings, as might be, that hung upon his mind.'


s: Before the Sultan Mahmoud on his throne,


s: And I _will_ see the Sultan, and to-night.'


s: 'Sorrow,' said Mahmoud, 'is a reverend thing:


s: I recognise its right as king with king;


s: Speak on.' 'A fiend has got into my house,'


s: Exclaim'd the staring man, 'and tortures us:


s: One of thine officers;--he comes, the abhorr'd,


s: And takes possession of my house, my board,


s: My bed:--I have two daughters and a wife,


s: And the wild villain comes and makes me mad with life.'


s: 'Is he there now?' said Mahmoud. 'No, he left


s: The house when I did, of my wits bereft;


s: And laugh'd me down the street because I vow'd


s: I'd bring the prince himself to lay him in his shroud.


s: And Oh, thou Sultan Mahmoud, God cries out for thee!'


s: 'Go home, and I will send thee wine and bread.


s: (For he was poor,) and other comforts. Go;


s: And should the wretch return let Sultan Mahmoud know.'


s: In two days' time, with haggard eyes and beard,


s: And shaken voice, the suitor re-appeared,


s: And said, 'He's come.'--Mahmoud said not a word,


s: But rose and took four slaves each with a sword,


s: And went with the vext man. They reach the place,


s: That to the window flutter'd in affright.


s: 'Go in,' said Mahmoud, 'and put out the light;


s: But tell the females first to leave the room;


s: And when the drunkard follows them, we come.


s: The man went in. There was a cry, and hark!


s: A table falls, the window is struck dark;


s: Forth rush the breathless women, and behind


s: With curses comes the fiend in desperate mind.


s: In vain: the sabres soon cut short the strife,


s: And chop the shrieking wretch, and drink his bloody life.


s: 'Now _light_ the light,' the Sultan cried aloud.


s: 'Twas done; he took it in his hand and bow'd


s: Over the corpse, and look'd upon the face;


s: Then turn'd and knelt beside it in the place,


s: And said a prayer, and from his lips there crept


s: Some gentle words of pleasure, and he wept.


s: In reverent silence the spectators wait,


s: Then bring him at his call both wine and meat;


s: And when he had refresh'd his noble heart,


s: He bade his host be blest, and rose up to depart.


s: The man amaz'd, all mildness now and tears,


s: Fell at the Sultan's feet with many prayers,


s: And begg'd him to vouchsafe to tell his slave,


s: The reason first of that command he gave


s: About the light: then when he saw the face,


s: Why he knelt down; and lastly how it was


s: That fare so poor as his detain'd him in the place.


s: 'Since first I heard thee come, and heard thy cry,


s: By whom such daring villanies were done,


s: Must be some lord of mine, perhaps a lawless son.


s: Whoe'er he was, I knew my task, but fear'd


s: A father's heart, in case the worst appear'd.


s: For this I had the light put out. But when


s: I saw the face and found a stranger slain,


s: I knelt and thank'd the sovereign arbiter,


s: Whose work I had perform'd through pain and fear.


s: And then I rose and was refresh'd with food,


s: The first time since thou cam'st and marr'd'st my solitude.'


s: The warm sun is failing, the bleak wind is wailing,


s: The bare boughs are sighing, the pale flowers are dying;


s: On the earth her death-bed, in a shroud of leaves dead


s: And like dim shadows watch by her sepulchre.


s: The chill rain is falling, the nipt worm is crawling,


s: The rivers are swelling, the thunder is knelling


s: The blithe swallows are flown, and the lizards each gone


s: And make her grave green with tear on tear.


s: Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,


s: Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,


s: While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping


s: As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.


s: ''Tis some visitor,' I mutter'd, 'tapping at my chamber door--


s: Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,


s: And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.


s: Eagerly I wish'd the morrow;--vainly had I sought to borrow


s: From my books surcease of sorrow, sorrow for the lost Lenore--


s: For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore--


s: And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain


s: Thrill'd me--filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;


s: So that now to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,


s: ''Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door--


s: Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;--


s: Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,


s: 'Sir,' said I, 'or madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;


s: But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,


s: And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,


s: Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering,


s: Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;


s: But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,


s: And the only word there spoken was the whisper'd word 'Lenore!'


s: This I whisper'd, and an echo murmur'd back the word 'Lenore'--


s: Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,


s: Soon I heard again a tapping somewhat louder than before,


s: 'Surely,' said I, 'surely that is something at my window lattice;


s: Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;--


s: Open here I flung a shutter, when with many a flirt and flutter


s: In there stepp'd a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;


s: Perch'd upon a bust of Pallas, just above my chamber door--


s: Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,


s: By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,


s: Much I marvell'd this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,


s: For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being


s: Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door,


s: Bird or beast upon the sculptur'd bust above his chamber door,


s: But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only


s: That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour;


s: Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,


s: 'Doubtless,' said I, 'what it utters is its only stock and store,


s: But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,


s: Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking


s: Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore--


s: What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore


s: This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing


s: To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burnt into my bosom's core;


s: This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining


s: On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,


s: Tell this soul, with sorrow laden, if within the distant Aidenn


s: It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore--


s: Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.'


s: 'Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shriek'd,


s: 'Get thee back into the tempest and the night's Plutonian shore!


s: Leave no black plume as a token of the lie thy soul hath spoken!


s: Leave my loneliness unbroken, quit the bust above my door!


s: And the raven never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting,


s: And his eyes have all the seeming of a dæmon's that is dreaming,


s: She rose, she caught me round the waist,


s: She said, 'Come down with me, fair maid.'


s: Dash through the bush, the brier, the brake;


s: While answering hound, and horn, and steed,


s: Loud, long, and deep the bell had tolled.


s: The right-hand horseman, young and fair,


s: 'Cease thy loud bugle's clanging knell,'


s: Well hast thou spoke, my dark-brow'd friend


s: The Wildgrave spurr'd his courser light,


s: Spare the poor's pittance,' was his cry,


s: 'Earn'd by the sweat these brows have pour'd,


s: While follows man, and horse, and hound,


s: And man, and horse, and hound, and horn,


s: Scours moss and moor, and holt and hill;


s: With blood besmear'd, and white with foam,


s: But man, and horse, and horn, and hound,


s: 'Forbear with blood God's house to stain;


s: The Black, wild whooping, points the prey:


s: And horse, and man, and horn, and hound,


s: Earth heard the call; her entrails rend;


s: The Wildgrave flies o'er bush and thorn,


s: And the swan glides by them with the sound


s: They are smiling o'er the silvery brooks,


s: Through glowing orchards forth they peep,


s: Where first the child's glad spirit loves


s: Who is yonder poor maniac, whose wildly fixed eyes


s: She weeps not, yet often and deeply she sighs;


s: She never complains, but her silence implies


s: No pity she looks for, no alms doth she seek;


s: Through her tatters the winds of the winter blow bleak


s: On that wither'd breast, and her weather-worn cheek


s: Yet cheerful and happy, nor distant the day,


s: The traveller remembers who journey'd this way


s: Her cheerful address fill'd the guests with delight


s: Her heart was a stranger to childish affright,


s: And Mary would walk by the Abbey at night


s: When the wind whistled down the dark aisle.


s: She loved, and young Richard had settled the day,


s: But Richard was idle and worthless, and they


s: Who knew him would pity poor Mary and say


s: Twas in autumn, and stormy and dark was the night,


s: Two guests sat enjoying the fire that burnt bright,


s: And, smoking in silence with tranquil delight,


s: ''Tis pleasant,' cried one, 'seated by the fireside


s: 'What a night for the Abbey!' his comrade replied,


s: 'Methinks a man's courage would now be well tried,


s: 'I myself, like a schoolboy, should tremble to hear


s: And could fancy I saw, half persuaded by fear,


s: Some ugly old abbot's grim spirit appear,


s: 'I'll wager a dinner,' the other one cried,


s: 'Then wager and lose!' with a sneer he replied,


s: 'I'll warrant she'd fancy a ghost by her side,


s: 'Will Mary this charge on her courage allow?'


s: 'I shall win--for I know she will venture there now


s: And earn a new bonnet by bringing a bough


s: From the elder that grows in the aisle.'


s: With fearless good-humour did Mary comply,


s: The night was dark, and the wind was high,


s: And as hollowly howling it swept through the sky,


s: O'er the path so well known still proceeded the maid,


s: Through the gateway she enter'd, she felt not afraid,


s: Yet the ruins were lonely and wild, and their shade


s: Seem'd to deepen the gloom of the night.


s: All around her was silent save when the rude blast


s: Over weed-cover'd fragments she fearlessly passed,


s: And arrived at the innermost ruin at last,


s: Well pleas'd did she reach it, and quickly drew near,


s: When the sound of a voice seem'd to rise on her ear,


s: She paus'd, and she listen'd intently, in fear,


s: The wind blew, the hoarse ivy shook over her head,


s: She listen'd, nought else could she hear;


s: The wind fell; her heart sunk in her bosom with dread,


s: For she heard in the ruins distinctly the tread


s: Behind a wide column half breathless with fear


s: That instant the moon o'er a dark cloud shone clear,


s: And she saw in the moonlight two ruffians appear,


s: And between them a corpse they did bear.


s: Then Mary could feel the heart-blood curdle cold;


s: It blew off the hat of the one, and behold,


s: Even close to the feet of poor Mary it roll'd,--


s: 'Curse the hat!' he exclaims. 'Nay, come on till we hide


s: She beholds them in safety pass on by her side,


s: She seizes the hat, fear her courage supplied,


s: She ran with wild speed, she rush'd in at the door,


s: Then her limbs could support their faint burden no more,


s: And exhausted and breathless she sank on the floor,


s: Ere yet her pale lips could the story impart,


s: Her eyes from that object convulsively start,


s: For--what a cold horror then thrill'd through her heart


s: Where the old Abbey stands, on the Common hard by,


s: His irons you still from the road may espy;


s: The traveller beholds them, and thinks with a sigh


s: _1st Witch._ When shall we three meet again


s: _2d Witch._  When the hurly-burley's done,


s: _3d Witch._  That will be ere set of sun.


s: _3d Witch._  There to meet with Macbeth.


s: _1st Witch._ Thrice the brinded cat hath mewed.


s: _2d Witch._  Thrice: and once the hedgehog whined.


s: _3d Witch._  Harpier cries:--'Tis time, 'tis time:


s: _1st Witch._ Round about the caldron go:


s: _All._       Double, double toil and trouble;


s: _3d Witch._  Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf;


s: _2d Witch._  Cool it with a baboon's blood,


s: 'Seek not,' she cried, 'oh! gallant stranger,


s: 'Nay! say not that his faith is tainted!'


s: And thus the listening throng address'd.


s: Consider, friends! your strength and might;


s: To drag the ploughshare through the soil,


s: 'When I had health and strength like you


s: The Landlord came to welcome him and chat


s: For he had seen the traveller there before.


s: The Traveller ask'd, 'or is the old man dead?'


s: 'No; he has left his loving flock, and we


s: So great a Christian never more shall see,'


s: The Landlord answer'd, and he shook his head.


s: If ever there did live a saint on earth!


s: Why, sir, he always used to wear a shirt


s: For thirty days, all seasons, day and night.


s: For Dust and Ashes to fall out with Dirt!


s: And then he only hung it out in the rain,


s: With him and the Devil there in yonder cell;


s: He with a cross, the Devil with his horn;


s: The Devil spitting fire with might and main,


s: And the hot vapour fill'd the smoking cell.


s: All black and yellow with the brimstone flame,


s: And then he smelt.... O dear, how he did smell!


s: And look at all the delicate things, and cry,


s: Home to your bread and water, home, I tell ye!'


s: 'But,' quoth the Traveller, 'wherefore did he leave


s: A flock that knew his saintly worth so well?'


s: 'Why,' said the Landlord, 'Sir, it so befell


s: And so by stealth one night away he went.'


s: 'What might this honour be?' the Traveller cried.


s: 'We thought perhaps that he might one day leave us;


s: A loss like that would naturally grieve us,


s: For he'll be made a saint of, to be sure.


s: Therefore we thought it prudent to secure


s: And so we meant to strangle him one night.'


s: Lady Alice was sitting in her bower window


s: 'What bear ye, what bear ye, ye six men tall?


s: 'Oh, lay him down gently, ye six men tall,


s: Giles Collins was buried all in the east,


s: And the roses that grew on Giles Collins's grave,


s: The priest of the parish he chanced to pass,


s: Sure never were seen such true lovers before,


s: An outlandish knight came from the North lands,


s: And he told me he'd take me unto the North lands,


s: 'Come, fetch me some of your father's gold,


s: And two of the best nags out of the stable,


s: She fetched him some of her father's gold


s: She mounted her on her milk-white steed,


s: They rode till they came unto the sea-side,


s: 'Light off, light off thy milk-white steed,


s: For it is not fitting that such a ruffian


s: She catch'd him round the middle so small,


s: 'Catch hold of my hand, my pretty maiden,


s: 'Lie there, lie there, you false-hearted man,


s: Six pretty maidens have you drowned here,


s: She rode till she came to her father's hall,


s: Spring, the sweet Spring, is the year's pleasant king;


s: Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring;


s: Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing,


s: The palm and the may make country houses gay,


s: Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day,


s: And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay,


s: The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet,


s: Young lovers meet, old wives a sunning sit,


s: In every street these tunes our ears do greet,


s: 'Have there your faith and troth, Willy,


s: ''Tis time, 'tis time, my dear Margaret,


s: 'But since your Grace on foreign coasts,


s: 'Cast off from thee those robes,' she said,


s: It is but a sprout, but it's well budded out


s: The moon shines bright, and the stars give a light,


s: So God bless you all, both great and small,


s: Of a comely countenance and grace was she,


s: And by birth and parentage of high degree.


s: In his courteous company was all her joy,


s: To favour him in any thing she was not coy.


s: 'Alas!' then said this lady gay, 'full woe is me;


s: O let me still sustain this kind captivity!


s: Thou hast set this present day my body free,


s: But my heart in prison strong remains with thee.'


s: 'How should'st thou, fair lady, love me,


s: 'All the evil I think to thee, most gracious knight,


s: God grant unto myself the same may fully light:


s: With our city you have won our hearts each one;


s: Then to your country bear away that is your own.'


s: 'Spaniards fraught with jealousy we often find,


s: But English men throughout the world are counted kind.


s: Still to serve thee day and night my mind is press'd;


s: The wife of every English man is counted blest.'


s: 'I will quickly change myself if it be so,


s: And like a page I'll follow thee where'er thou go.'


s: And eke five hundred pounds in gold that lies unknown.'


s: 'Well in truth I shall endure extremity,


s: For I could find in heart to lose my life for thee.'


s: I will not falsify my vow for gold or gain,


s: Nor yet for all the fairest dames that live in Spain.'


s: On my knees I pardon crave for this offence,


s: Which did from love and true affection first commence.


s: For they are fitting for thy wife, but not for me.'


s: But ere my prayers have an end, be sure of this,


s: To pray for thee and for thy love I will not miss.


s: Joy and true prosperity go still with thee!'


s: 'The like fall ever to thy share, most fair lady.'


s: Around from all the neighbouring streets


s: 'Twas, 'Monsieur, je vous n'entends pas.'


s: 'I say, whose house is that there here?'


s: 'House! Je vous n'entends pas, Monsieur.'


s: John saw Versailles from Marli's height,


s: 'State! Je vous n'entends pas, Monsieur.'


s: I should like to dine with Nongtongpaw.'


s: 'Ventch! Je vous n'entends pas, Monsieur.'


s: 'But hold! whose funeral's that?' cries John.


s: 'Je vous n'entends pas.'--'What, is he gone?


s: Good night t' ye, Mounseer Nongtongpaw!'


s: On the green banks of Shannon when Sheelah was nigh,


s: No harp like my own could so cheerily play,


s: And wherever I went was my poor dog Tray.


s: When at last I was forced from my Sheelah to part,


s: She said, (while the sorrow was big at her heart,)


s: Oh! remember your Sheelah when far, far away:


s: And be kind, my dear Pat, to our poor dog Tray.


s: Poor dog! he was faithful and kind to be sure,


s: And he constantly loved me although I was poor;


s: When the sour-looking folk sent me heartless away,


s: I had always a friend in my poor dog Tray.


s: When the road was so dark, and the night was so cold,


s: And Pat and his dog were grown weary and old,


s: How snugly we slept in my old coat of grey,


s: And he lick'd me for kindness--my old dog Tray.


s: Though my wallet was scant I remember'd his case,


s: Nor refused my last crust to his pitiful face;


s: But he died at my feet on a cold winter day,


s: And I play'd a sad lament for my poor dog Tray.


s: Where now shall I go, poor, forsaken, and blind?


s: Can I find one to guide me, so faithful and kind?


s: To my sweet native village, so far, far away,


s: I can never more return with my poor dog Tray.


s: For, sore dismay'd, through storm and shade


s: 'Come back! come back!' he cried in grief


s: 'Twas vain: the loud waves lash'd the shore,


s: The anchor heaves! The ship swings free!


s: And mists that spread the flying shroud,


s: But that enormous barrier holds it fast.


s: O'er rocks and stones, following the dog


s: This dog had been through three months' space


s: How nourished there through that long time,


s: And gave that strength of feeling great,


s: The fox and the cat, as they travell'd one day,


s: With moral discourses cut shorter the way:


s: ''Tis great,' says the Fox, 'to make justice our guide!'


s: 'How god-like is mercy!' Grimalkin replied.


s: Whilst thus they proceeded, a wolf from the wood,


s: Impatient of hunger, and thirsting for blood,


s: Rush'd forth--as he saw the dull shepherd asleep--


s: And seiz'd for his supper an innocent sheep.


s: 'In vain, wretched victim, for mercy you bleat,


s: When mutton's at hand,' says the wolf, 'I must eat.'


s: Grimalkin's astonish'd!--the fox stood aghast,


s: To see the fell beast at his bloody repast.


s: 'What a wretch,' says the cat, ''tis the vilest of brutes;


s: Does he feed upon flesh when there's herbage and roots?'


s: Cries the fox, 'While our oaks give us acorns so good,


s: What a tyrant is this to spill innocent blood!'


s: Well, onward they march'd, and they moraliz'd still,


s: Till they came where some poultry pick'd chaff by a mill.


s: Sly Reynard survey'd them with gluttonous eyes,


s: And made, spite of morals, a pullet his prize.


s: A mouse, too, that chanc'd from her covert to stray,


s: The greedy Grimalkin secured as her prey.


s: A spider that sat in her web on the wall,


s: Perceiv'd the poor victims, and pitied their fall;


s: She cried, 'Of such murders, how guiltless am I!'


s: But still the prize, though nearly caught,


s: Charm'd with the sight, 'The world,' I cried,


s: Tread lightly here, for here, 'tis said,


s: Gone to the world where birds are blest!


s: The saints would often leave their cells,


s: And stroll about, but hide their quality,


s: Where, in the stroller's canting strain,


s: They scarce had spoke when fair and soft


s: 'Sprout!' quoth the man; 'what's this you tell us?


s: In short, they both were turn'd to yews.


s: Lulla, lulla, lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby!


s: 'Come riddle my riddle, dear mother,' he said,


s: Whether I shall marry with fair Ellinor,


s: 'The brown girl she has got houses and land,


s: But when he came to fair Ellinor's bower,


s: 'What news, what news, Lord Thomas?' she said,


s: I thought to have been thy bride my own self,


s: 'Come riddle my riddle, dear mother,' she said,


s: Whether I shall go to Lord Thomas's wedding,


s: 'There are many that are your friends, daughter,


s: 'There's many that are my friends, mother


s: But when she came to Lord Thomas's gate,


s: 'Is this your bride?' fair Ellinor said;


s: And betwixt the short ribs and the long,


s: 'Now Heaven save thee,' Lord Thomas he said,


s: Thou used to look with as fresh a colour,


s: 'O, art thou blind, Lord Thomas?' she said,


s: O, dost thou not see my own heart's blood


s: He cut off his bride's head from her shoulders,


s: O then, I see, Queen Mab hath been with you.


s: She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes


s: Her wagon spokes made of long spinner's legs:


s: The cover, of the wings of grasshoppers;


s: The traces, of the smallest spider's web;


s: The collars of the moonshine's watery beams;


s: Her whip of cricket's bone, the lash, of film;


s: Made by the joiner squirrel, or old grub,


s: Time out of mind the fairies' coachmakers.


s: And in this state she gallops night by night,


s: Through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love;


s: On courtiers' knees that dream on court'sies straight;


s: O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream on fees;


s: O'er ladies' lips, who straight on kisses dream.


s: O, young Lochinvar is come out of the West!


s: Through all the wide Border his steed is the best;


s: And save his good broadsword he weapon had none;


s: He rode all unarm'd and he rode all alone.


s: So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war,


s: There never was knight like the young Lochinvar!


s: He stay'd not for brake and he stopt not for stone;


s: He swam the Eske river where ford there was none;


s: The bride had consented; the gallant came late;


s: Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.


s: So bravely he enter'd the Netherby Hall,


s: Among bridesmen and kinsmen and brothers and all,


s: Then spake the bride's father, his hand on his sword,


s: For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word,


s: 'O come ye in peace here, or come ye in war,


s: Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?'


s: 'I long woo'd your daughter, my suit you denied;


s: Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide;


s: And now I am come with this lost love of mine


s: To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine.


s: There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far,


s: That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar!'


s: The bride kiss'd the goblet, the knight took it up,


s: He quaff'd off the wine and he threw down the cup;


s: She look'd down to blush, and she look'd up to sigh,


s: With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye.


s: He took her soft hand ere her mother could bar;


s: 'Now tread we a measure!' said young Lochinvar.


s: So stately his form, and so lovely her face,


s: That never a hall such a galliard did grace:


s: While her mother did fret and her father did fume,


s: And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume;


s: And the bride-maidens whispered, ''Twere better by far


s: To have match'd our fair cousin with young Lochinvar!'


s: One touch to her hand and one word in her ear,


s: When they reach'd the hall door; and the charger stood near;


s: So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung,


s: So light to the saddle before her he sprung!


s: 'She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush and scaur,


s: They'll have fleet steeds that follow!' cried young Lochinvar.


s: There was mounting 'mong Græmes of the Netherby clan;


s: Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran;


s: There was racing and chasing on Cannobie lea;


s: But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see.


s: So daring in love, and so dauntless in war,


s: Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar!


s: Distinguished, two for scent, and two for speed.


s: Breaks, and the greyhound Dart is overhead!


s: And fondly strives her struggling friend to save.


s: Makes efforts with complainings; nor gives o'er,


s: Until her fellow sinks to re-appear no more.


s: And had all things with heart's content,


s: 'But what say'st thou, my youngest girl,


s: Though poor and bare, yet she was deem'd


s: Till hills and woods and senseless things


s: Most virtuous dame! which when she heard


s: And drive his daughters from their thrones


s: Crawls o'er the grass, whom when he spies,


s: Crush then the slow, the pilfering race,


s: For scarce nine suns have wak'd the hours,


s: To swell the fruit, and paint the flowers,


s: 'O where have you been, my long, long, love,


s: 'O hold your tongue of your former vows,


s: 'I would never have trodden on Irish ground,


s: 'If ye might have had a king's daughter,


s: Ye might have taken the king's daughter,


s: I never would have trodden on Irish ground


s: The masts that were like the beaten gold


s: 'O hold your tongue of your weeping,' says he,


s: 'O what hills are yon, yon pleasant hills,


s: 'O yon are the hills of heaven,' he said,


s: 'O yon is the mountain of hell,' he cried,


s: Until that the tops of that gallant ship


s: The clouds grew dark and the wind grew loud,


s: And waesome wail'd the snow-white sprites


s: And he brake that gallant ship in twain,


s: But there came thieves late in the night,


s: They robb'd my bower, and slew my knight,


s: That I a serving-man's place might have.


s: 'Stand up, brave youth,' the king replied,


s: Said to the king, 'If't please your Grace


s: Now mark what strange thing came to pass:


s: 'What news, what news, old man?' quoth he;


s: Till yonder heaven and earth shall mingle,


s: Turning short round, strutting, and sidling,


s: But though the birds were thus in haste,


s: The wind, of late breath'd gently forth,


s: Bare trees and shrubs but ill, you know,


s: Stepping into their nests, they paddled,


s: Themselves were chill'd, their eggs were addled.


s: Grew quarrelsome, and peck'd each other.


s: While glow the heavens with the last steps of day,


s: Far through their rosy depths, dost thou pursue


s: Might mark thy distant flight to do thee wrong,


s: Or where the rocking billows rise and sink


s: Teaches thy way along that pathless coast,


s: At that far height the cold thin atmosphere,


s: Yet stoop not, weary, to the welcome land,


s: Soon shalt thou find a summer home, and rest


s: And scream among thy fellows; reeds shall bend


s: Hath swallow'd up thy form: yet on my heart


s: Deeply hath sunk the lesson thou hast given,


s: Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight,


s: In the long way that I must tread alone,


s: But I'll tell you how he served the bishop of Hereford,


s: 'Come kill me a ven'son,' said bold Robin Hood,


s: The bishop of Hereford is to dine with me to-day,


s: 'We'll kill a fat ven'son,' said bold Robin Hood,


s: Robin Hood dressed himself in shepherd's attire,


s: And, when the bishop of Hereford came by,


s: 'O what is the matter?' then said the bishop,


s: 'We are shepherds,' said bold Robin Hood,


s: And we are disposed to be merry this day,


s: 'You are brave fellows,' said the bishop,


s: Therefore make haste and come along with me,


s: 'O pardon, O pardon,' said bold Robin Hood,


s: 'No pardon, no pardon,' said the bishop,


s: Till three score and ten of bold Robin's men


s: All making obeisance to bold Robin Hood,


s: 'What is the matter, master?' said Little John,


s: 'Cut off his head, master,' said Little John,


s: 'No pardon, no pardon,' said bold Robin Hood,


s: Then Robin he took the bishop by the hand,


s: He made him to stay and sup with him that night,


s: 'Lend me your purse, master,' said Little John,


s: Then Little John took the bishop's cloak,


s: 'Here's money enough, master,' said Little John,


s: And he made the bishop to dance in his boots,


s: With a hundred horse more, all his own he swore,


s: Had you seen but his look, you'd have sworn on a book


s: The ladies ran all to the windows to see


s: For, till he came there, he show'd no fear;


s: The king (Heaven bless him!) had singular hopes


s: The Borderers they, as they met him on the way,


s: None liked him so well as his own colonel,


s: But when there were shows of gunning and blows,


s: For when the Scots' army came within sight,


s: He ran to his tent; they ask'd what he meant;


s: He swore that his stomach ached quite-a.


s: But Sir John did swear, he came not there


s: To cure his fear he was sent to the rear,


s: But now there is peace, he's return'd to increase


s: But his lost honour must still lie in the dust;


s: Here rest your wings when they are weary;


s: But More of More-hall, with nothing at all,


s: With a sting in his tail as long as a flail,


s: All sorts of cattle this dragon would eat,


s: For houses and churches were to him geese and turkies;


s: But some stones, dear Jack, that he could not crack,


s: Sighing and sobbing, came to his lodging,


s: Do but slay this dragon, who won't leave us a rag on,


s: With spikes all about, not within but without,


s: Both behind and before, arms, legs, and all o'er,


s: For fear they did flee, for they took him to be


s: Not to spoil their hose. As soon as he rose,


s: Where he did think this dragon would drink,


s: And as he stoop'd low, he rose up and cried, boh!


s: Sobbing and tearing, cursing and swearing


s: With the thing at thy foot thou hast prick'd my throat,


s: Had you but miss'd that place, you could


s: Then his head he shaked, trembled and quaked,


s: First on one knee, then on back tumbled he;


s: 'Who's that,' said I, 'at this late hour


s: 'Are these your thanks, ungrateful child,


s: Are these your thanks?' The impostor smiled.


s: And sorrow hath made my very heart pale.


s: And struck with his tail and swept him away.


s: The Island of Reeds is his whole domain.


s: 'Like a dervise there he passes his days,


s: And being grown pious and meek and mild,


s: 'The King of the Crocodiles never does wrong,


s: And therefore will give me blood for blood;


s: He can revenge me, he will, and he must.'


s: And fast with the stream the boat proceeds,


s: And now she is come to the Island of Reeds.


s: The King of the Crocodiles there was seen;


s: The young Prince Crocodiles crawl'd about.


s: Wicked the word, and bootless the boast,


s: As cruel King Crocodile found to his cost,


s: He show'd his teeth, but he miss'd his bite.


s: Taking wit in her anger, and courage beside;


s: She took him his forelegs and hind between,


s: And trundled him off the eggs of the Queen.


s: To revenge herself then she did not fail;


s: He was slow in his motions for want of a tail;


s: That the Queen was gadding abroad in the Nile.


s: Two Crocodile Princes, as they play'd on the sand,


s: She caught, and grasping them one in each hand,


s: Thrust the head of one into the throat of the other,


s: And made each Prince Crocodile choke his brother.


s: And when she had truss'd three couple this way,


s: And plying her oars with might and main,


s: Cross'd the river and got to the shore again.


s: When the Crocodile Queen came home, she found


s: That her eggs were broken and scatter'd around,


s: And that six young princes, darlings all,


s: Were missing; for none of them answered her call.


s: Pass'd between her and the Crocodile King;


s: 'Is this your care of the nest?' cried she;


s: 'It comes of your gadding abroad,' said he.


s: The Queen had the better in this dispute,


s: And the Crocodile King found it best to be mute;


s: While a terrible peal in his ears she rung,


s: For the Queen had a tail as well as a tongue.


s: Standing less in fear of her tongue than her tail,


s: And knowing that all the words which were spoken.


s: Could not mend one of the eggs that were broken.


s: The woman, meantime, was very well pleased,


s: She had saved her life, and her heart was eased;


s: The justice she ask'd in vain for her son,


s: 'Mash-Allah!' her neighbours exclaim'd in delight,


s: She gave them a funeral supper that night,


s: Where they all agreed that revenge was sweet,


s: And young Prince Crocodiles delicate meat.


s: He caught their manners, looks, and airs;


s: The snail sticks close, nor fears to fall.


s: Close by the threshold of a door nail'd fast,


s: Three kittens sat; each kitten look'd aghast.


s: At the three kittens cast a careless eye;


s: Not much concern'd to know what they did there,


s: Not deeming kittens worth a Poet's care.


s: Caused me to stop, and to exclaim, 'What's this?'


s: When lo! upon the threshold met my view,


s: A viper, long as Count de Grasse's queue.


s: Forth from his head his forked tongue he throws,


s: Darting it full against a kitten's nose;


s: Who having never seen, in field or house,


s: The like, sat still and silent as a mouse:


s: Her whisker'd face, she asked him, 'Who are you?


s: On to the hall went I, with pace not slow,


s: But swift as lightning, for a long Dutch hoe:


s: With which well arm'd I hasten'd to the spot,


s: And, turning up the leaves and shrubs around,


s: Found only, that he was not to be found.


s: But still the kitten, sitting as before,


s: Sat watching close the bottom of the door.


s: 'I hope,' said I, 'the villain I would kill


s: Has slipp'd between the door and the door-sill;


s: And if I make despatch, and follow hard,


s: No doubt but I shall find him in the yard;'


s: For long ere now it should have been rehearsed,


s: 'Twas in the garden that I found him first.


s: Even there I found him--there the full-grown cat,


s: His head, with velvet paw, did gently pat;


s: To learn what this phenomenon might mean.


s: With outstretch'd hoe I slew him at the door,


s: And taught him never to come thither more.


s: Did you hear of the curate who mounted his mare,


s: Of creature more tractable none ever heard,


s: In the height of her speed she would stop at a word;


s: But again with a word, when the curate said, Hey,


s: She put forth her mettle and gallop'd away.


s: As near to the gates of the city he rode,


s: While the sun of September all brilliantly glow'd,


s: The good priest discover'd, with eyes of desire,


s: A mulberry-tree in a hedge of wild briar;


s: On boughs long and lofty, in many a green shoot,


s: Hung large, black, and glossy, the beautiful fruit.


s: The curate was hungry and thirsty to boot;


s: He shrunk from the thorns, though he long'd for the fruit;


s: With a word he arrested his courser's keen speed,


s: And he stood up erect on the back of his steed;


s: On the saddle he stood while the creature stood still,


s: And he gather'd the fruit till he took his good fill.


s: 'Sure never,' he thought, 'was a creature so rare,


s: So docile, so true, as my excellent mare;


s: Lo, here now I stand,' and he gazed all around,


s: 'As safe and as steady as if on the ground;