8. "O grief of griefs !" with shrieking voice she cried, "What sight is this that I have lived to see! O! that I had in youth's fair season died, From all false joys, and bitter sorrows free. 9. Was it for this alas! with weary bill, Was it for this I pois'd th' unwieldy straw; Nor shunn'd the pon'drous stick along to draw? To bear the scorching heat, and pealing rain? And all my wonted mirth and spirits fail!" 13. Thus sung the mournful bird her piteous tale ;-The piteous tale her mournful mate return'd: Then side by side they sought the distant vale; And there in secret sadness inly mourn'd. SECTION VIII. The Pet Lamb. JAGO. 1. THE dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink; I heard a voice; it said, " Drink pretty creature, drink!" And looking o'er the hedge, before me I espied, A snow-white mountain Lamb, with a maiden at its side. 2. No other sheep were near, the lamb was all alone, And by a slender cord was tether'd to a stone; With one knee on the grass did the little maiden kneel, While to the mountain Lamb she gave its evening meal. 3. 'Twas little Barbara Lethwaite, a child of beauty rare: I watch them with delight; they were a lovely pair. And now with empty can, the maiden turn'd away, But ere ten yards were gone her footsteps did she stay. 4. Towards the Lamb she look'd and from that shady place, I unobserved could see the workings of her face: If nature to her tongue could measur'd numbers bring, Thus, thought I, to her Lamb that little maid would sing. 5. What ails the young one? what? why pull so at thy cord ? Is it not well with thee? well both for bed and board? Thy plot of grass is soft, as green as grass can be: Rest, little young one, rest; what is't that aileth thee 6. What is it thou would'st seek? What's wanting to thy heart? Thy limbs are they not strong? and beautiful thou art : "This grass is tender grass; these flowers they have no peers; And that green corn all day is rustling in thy ears. 7. If the sun is shining hot, do but stretch thy woollen chain, This beech is standing by, its covert thou canst gain: For rain and mountain storms the like thou need'st not fear; The rain and storm are things which scarcely can come here. 8. Rest, little young one, rest; thou hast forgot the day When my father found thee first in places far away : Many flocks were on the hills, but thou wert own'd by none. And thy mother from thy side for ever more was gone. 9. He took thee in his arms, and in pity brought thee home; A blessed day for thee; then whither wouldst thou roam ? A faithful nurse thou hast; the dam that did the yean Upon the mountain tops, no kinder could have been 10. Thou know'st that twice a day, I've brought thee in this can Fresh water from the brook, as clear as ever ran: And twice in the day, when the ground is wet with dew, I bring thee draughts of milk, warm milk it is and new. 11. It will not, will not rest!-Poor creature! can it be That 'tis thy mother's heart, which is working so in thee? Things that I know not of perhaps to thee are dear, And dreams of things which thou canst neither see nor hear. 12. Alas! the mountain tops that look so green and fair!I've heard of fearful winds and darkness that come there : The little brooks, that seem all pastime and all play, When they are angry, roar like lions for their prey. 13. Here thou need'st not dread the raven in the sky; He will not come to thee; our cottage is hard by. Night and day thou art as safe as living thing can be: Be happy then and rest; what is't that aileth thee?" SECTION IX.. WORDSWORTH. The Farmer the Spaniel and the Cat. 1. As at his board a Farmer sat, And snor'd the rising fumes away. To scour the fields, and spring the game; For man the wounded bird to save. 4. With watchful diligence I keep From prowling wolves his fleecy sheep: At home his midnight hours secure, And drive the robber from the door. For this his breast with kindness glows, For this his hand the food bestows. 5. And shall thy indolence impart A warmer friendship to his heart, That thus he robs me of my due, To pamper such vile things as you?" 6. "I own," with meekness, Puss replied, "Superior merit on your side ; Nor does my heart with envy swell, 7. Whose claws destroy the pilf'ring mouse? Why should your heart with gall o'erflow ? SECTION X. The Wheat and the Weeds. 1. 'Twas in a pleasant month of spring, The farmer's hope, his country's prize, GAY For pleasure's sake had rambled there, "Yes," said the next," the flow'r I show, Knowing from ign'rance error springs, He strove to teach them better things. 6. "My lads," he said, "now understand, These are but weeds that spoil our land; But the green blades you trample down, Are wheat, man's food, and nature's crown. With art and pains the crop is sown, And thus your daily bread is grown. Alas! your judgment was not right, Because you judg'd from outward sight." SECTION XI. Economy the source of Charity. 1. By gen'rous goodness taught, my early youth |