And, as his Father had requested, laid 420 The first stone of the Sheep-fold. At the sight Hushed was that House in peace, or seeming peace, 425 Ere the night fell:—with morrow's dawn the Boy Began his journey, and when he had reached The public way, he put on a bold face; And all the neighbors, as he passed their doors, Came forth with wishes and with farewell prayers, 430 That followed him till he was out of sight. A good report did from their Kinsman come, 435 "The prettiest letters that were ever seen." began Meantime Luke To slacken in his duty; and, at length, 445 To evil courses: ignominy and shame There is a comfort in the strength of love; 'Twill make a thing endurable, which else 450 Would overset the brain, or break the heart: I have conversed with more than one who well Remember the old Man, and what he was Years after he had heard this heavy news. His bodily frame had been from youth to age 455 Of an unusual strength. Among the rocks He went, and still looked up to sun and cloud, And listened to the wind; and, as before, Performed all kinds of labor for his sheep, And for the land, his small inheritance. 460 And to that hollow dell from time to time Did he repair, to build the Fold of which His flock had need. 'Tis not forgotten yet The pity which was then in every heart For the old Man-and 'tis believed by all 465 That many and many a day he thither went, And never lifted up a single stone. There, by the Sheep-fold, sometimes was he Sitting alone, or with his faithful Dog, 470 The length of full seven years, from time to time, Survive her husband: at her death the estate 475 Was sold, and went into a stranger's hand. The Cottage which was named The Evening Star Is gone the plowshare has been through the ground On which it stood; great changes have been wrought In all the neighborhood:-yet the oak is left 480 That grew beside their door; and the remains Of the unfinished Sheep-fold may be seen Beside the boisterous brook of Green-head Ghyll. MY HEART LEAPS UP (1807) My heart leaps up when I behold So was it when my life began; 5 So be it when I shall grow old, The Child is father of the Man; THE SOLITARY REAPER (1807) Behold her, single in the field, 5 Alone she cuts and binds the grain, No nightingale did ever chaunt A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard Will no one tell me what she sings?— 20 And battles long ago: мов Or is it some more humble lay, 25 Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang ODE INTIMATIONS OF IMMORTALITY FROM RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD. (1803-6) There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream, Apparelled in celestial light, 5 The glory and the freshness of a dream. 110 15 By night or day, The things which I have seen I now can see no more. II. The Rainbow comes and goes, And lovely is the Rose, The Moon doth with delight Look round her when the heavens are bare, Waters on a starry night Are beautiful and fair; 20 The sunshine is a glorious birth; That there hath passed away a glory from the earth. III. Now, while the birds thus sing a joyous song, As to the tabor's sound, To me alone there came a thought of grief: 25 The cataracts blow their trumpets from the steep; 330 Land and sea Give themselves up to jollity, And with the heart of May Thou Child of Joy, 35 Shout round me, let me hear thy shouts, thou happy Shepherd-boy! 40 45 IV. Ye blessed Creatures, I have heard the call The heavens laugh with you in your jubilee; My head hath its coronal, The fulness of your bliss, I feel-I feel it all. While Earth herself is adorning, This sweet May-morning, And the Children are culling On every side, |