"And when the ground was white with snow, And I could run and slide, My brother John was forced to go, And he lies by her side." "How many are you, then," said I, 60 "But they are dead; those two are dead! Their spirits are in heaven!" 65 'T was throwing words away; for still The little Maid would have her will, And said, "Nay, we are seven ! " SIMON LEE THE OLD HUNTSMAN; WITH AN INCIDENT IN WHICH In the sweet shire of Cardigan, No man like him the horn could sound, In those proud days, he little cared For husbandry or tillage; To blither tasks did Simon rouse The sleepers of the village. He all the country could outrun, Could leave both man and horse behind; And still there's something in the world At which his heart rejoices; For when the chiming hounds are out, 5 IO 15 20 He dearly loves their voices! But, oh the heavy change! - bereft 25 Of health, strength, friends, and kindred, see! Old Simon to the world is left In liveried poverty. His Master's dead, and no one now Dwells in the Hall of Ivor; Men, dogs, and horses, all are dead; And he is lean and he is sick; His body dwindled and awry, Rests upon ankles swoln and thick ; His legs are thin and dry. One prop he has, and only one, Lives with him, near the waterfall, Beside their moss-grown hut of clay, This scrap of land he from the heath 45 My gentle Reader, I perceive O Reader! had you in your mind 65 Such stores as silent thought can bring, O gentle Reader! you would find A tale in every thing. What more I have to say is short, It is no tale; but, should you think, One summer-day I chanced to see The mattock tottered in his hand; He might have worked for ever. ee 70 75 80 'You 're overtasked, good Simon Lee, Give me your tool," to him I said; And at the word right gladly he I struck, and with a single blow At which the poor old Man so long The tears into his eyes were brought, 85 90 I've heard of hearts unkind, kind deeds With coldness still returning ; Alas! the gratitude of men Hath oftener left me mourning. 1798. LINES WRITTEN IN EARLY SPRING. I HEARD a thousand blended notes, While in a grove I sate reclined, In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts 95 To her fair works did Nature link 5 The human soul that through me fan; And much it grieved my heart to think What man has made of man. Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, And 't is my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes. The birds around me hopped and played, But the least motion which they made 15 It seemed a thrill of pleasure. The budding twigs spread out their fan, And I must think, do all I can, That there was pleasure there. 20 |