Aut that frail Child of thirsty clay,

I sing this rustic lay,

Well with self-dissatisfaction

4. stories of the Bird's attraction!*

Well! that is past - and in despite a door and shining light.

A Bow the Conqueror essays

ng ascent of Dunmail-raise;

A with his Team is gentle here

when he clomb from Rydal Mere; Fap they do not dread - his voice ey only hear it to rejoice.

and or go is at their pleasure

T efforts and their time they measure Berous pride within the breast; ww, wile they strain, and while they rest, Bts pursues his thoughts at leisure.

Nam I fairly safe to-night45, bever was my heart more light. Ised htely worse than ever: Heaven will bless a good endeavour; to my soul's delight, I find Evil One is left behind. iset my master fume and fret, Hem I—with my Horses yet!

Vry Team, he finds that ye "work for nobody but me!

dproof of this the Country gained,

- day, when ye were vexed and strained

Erted to another's care,

Srced unworthy stripes to bear.
as it-on this rugged spot

Dow, contented with our lot,
Web-that, piteously abused,
erged in anger and confused:
A chance would have it, passing by
I aw you in your jeopardy:

1 from me was like a charm—
Tanks were taken with one mind;
Your huge burthen, safe from harm,
like a vessel in the wind!

without me, up hills so high

Ta vain to strive for mastery.

greve not, jolly Team! though tough The road we travel, steep and rough,

A storm, which had been smothered long
Was growing inwardly more strong;
And, in its struggles to get free,
Was busily employed as he.
The thunder had begun to growl-
He heard not, too intent of soul;
The air was now without a breath-
He marked not that 't was still as death.
But soon large drops upon his head
Fell with the weight of drops of lead;
He starts and, at the admonition,
Takes a survey of his condition.
The road is black before his eyes,
Glimmering faintly where it lies;
Black is the sky — and every hill,
Up to the sky, is blacker still —
A huge and melancholy room,

Hung round and overhung with gloom;
Save that above a single height

Is to be seen a lurid light,

Above Helm-crag*-a streak half dead,

A burning of portentous red;
And near that lurid light, full well
The ASTROLOGER, sage Sidrophel,
Where at his desk and book he sits,
Puzzling on high his curious wits;
He whose domain is held in common
With no one but the ANCIENT WOMAN,
Cowering beside her rifted cell;

As if intent on magic spell;

Dread pair, that, spite of wind and weather,

Still sit upon Helm-crag together!

And sullen motions long and slow,
That to a dreary distance go-

Till, breaking in upon the dying strain,

A rending o'er his head begins the fray again.
Meanwhile, uncertain what to do,
And oftentimes compelled to halt,
The horses cautiously pursue
Their way, without mishap or fault!
And now have reached that pile of stones,
Heaped over brave King Dunmail's bones;
He who had once supreme command,
Last king of rocky Cumberland;
His bones, and those of all his Power,
Slain here in a disastrous hour!

IF Wytheburn's modest House of Prayer,
As lowly as the lowliest Dwelling,
Had, with its belfry's humble stock,
A little pair that hang in air,
Been mistress also of a Clock,
(And one, too, not in crazy plight)

Twelve strokes that Clock would have been tel
Under the brow of old Helvellyn-
Its bead-roll of midnight,

Then, when the Hero of my tale
Was passing by, and down the vale
(The vale now silent, hushed I ween
As if a storm had never been)
Proceeding with an easy mind;
While he, who had been left behind,
Intent to use his utmost haste,
Gained ground upon the Waggon fast,
And gives another lusty cheer;

For spite of rumbling of the wheels,

A welcome greeting he can hear;-
It is a fiddle in its glee

Dinning from the CHERRY TREE!

most reached the festive door, startled by the Sailor's roar, wears a sound and sees the light, La moment calls to mind Fat the village MERRY-NIGHT!*

4ugh before in no dejection, Ansidious recollection

heart with sudden joy is filled, —
Harare by the music thrilled,
Es take pleasure in the road

Gng before him bright and broad;
Benjamin is wet and cold.

As Lere are reasons manifold

Take the good, tow'rds which he's yearning, Larly like a lawful earning.

has thought time to come and go,
rate between yes and no;
"l'"cres the sailor, “Glorious chance
how us hither! let him dance

Wican or will;-my honest soul,
trent shall be a friendly Bowl!"
n him to the door - "Come in,
come," cries be to Benjamin;
Amin-ah, woe is me!

word, -the horses heard Aated, though reluctantly.

the souls and lightsome hearts have we, at the CHERRY TREE!"

the outside proclamation, was the inside salutation;

What sting — jostling - high and low!

"This," cries the Sailor, "a Third-rate isStand back, and you shall see her gratis! This was the Flag-Ship at the Nile, The Vanguard you may smirk and smile, But, pretty Maid, if you look near, You'll find you've much in little here! A nobler Ship did never swim, And you shall see her in full trim: I'll set, my Friends, to do you honour, Set every inch of sail upon her." So said, so done; and masts, sails, yards, He names them all; and interlards His speech with uncouth terms of art, Accomplished in the Showman's part; And then as from a sudden check, Cries out

""T is there, the Quarter-deck

66

Hushed was by this the fiddle's sound,
The Dancers were gathered round,
And, such the stillness of the house,
You might have heard a nibbling mouse;
While, borrowing helps where'er he may,
The Sailor through the story runs
Of Ships to Ships and guns to guns;
And does his utmost to display
The dismal conflict, and the might
And terror of that wondrous night!
"A Bowl, a Bowl of double measure,"
Cries Benjamin, a draught of length,
To Nelson, England's pride and treasure,
Her bulwark and her tower of strength!
When Benjamin had seized the bow',
The Mastiff, from beneath the Waggon,
Where he lay, watchful as a dragɔr,
Rattled his chain- 't was all in vain,
For Benjamin, triumphant soul!
He heard the monitory growl;
Heard and in opposition quaffed
A deep, determined, desperate draught!
Nor did the battered Tar forget,

Or flinch from what he deemed his debt:
Then, like a hero crowned with laurel,
Back to her place the ship he led;
Wheeled her back in full apparel;
And so, flag flying at mast-head,
Re-yoked her to the Ass;
Cries Benjamin, "We must be gone."
Thus, after two hours' hearty stay,
Again behold them on their way!

anon,

CANTO THIRD.

RIGHT gladly had the horses stirred,
When they the wished-for greeting heard,
The whip's loud notice from the door,
That they were free to move once more.
You think, these doings must have bred
In them disheartening doubts and dread;
No, not a horse of all the eight,
Although it be a moonless night,
Fears either for himself or freight;
For this they know (and let it hide,
In part, the offences of their Guide)
That Benjamin, with clouded brains,
Is worth the best with all their pains;
And, if they had a prayer to make,
The prayer would be that they may take

With him whatever comes in course,

The better fortune or the worse;

That no one else may have business near them, And, drunk or sober, he may steer them.

So, forth in dauntless mood they fare, And with them goes the guardian pair.

Now, heroes, for the true commotion, The triumph of your late devotion! Can aught on earth impede delight, Still mounting to a higher height; And higher still - -a greedy flight! Can any low-born care pursue her, Can any mortal clog come to her? No notion have they-not a thought, That is from joyless regions brought! And, while they coast the silent lake, Their inspiration I partake; Share their empyreal spirits-yea, With their enraptured vision, seeO fancy- what a jubilee! What shifting pictures-clad in gleams Of colour bright as feverish dreams! Earth, spangled sky, and lake serene, Involved and restless all-a scene Pregnant with mutual exaltation, Rich change, and multiplied creation! This sight to me the Muse imparts; And then, what kindness in their hearts! What tears of rapture, what vow-making, Profound entreaties, and hand-shaking! What solemn, vacant, interlacing, As if they'd fall asleep embracing! Then, in the turbulence of glee, And in the excess of amity, Says Benjamin, "That ass of thine, He spoils thy sport, and hinders mine: If he were tethered to the Waggon, He'd drag as well what he is dragging; And we, as brother should with brother, Might trudge it alongside each other!"

Forthwith, obedient to command, The horses made a quiet stand; And to the Waggon's skirts was tied The Creature, by the Mastiff's side, (The Mastiff not well pleased to be So very near such company.) This new arrangement made, the Wain Through the still night proceeds again; No Moon hath risen her light to lend; But indistinctly may be kenned The VANGUARD, following close behind, Sails spread, as if to catch the wind!

"Thy Wife and Child are snug and warm, Thy Ship will travel without harm;

Dar," said Benjamin, "her shape and stature: te this of mine-this bulky Creature

wch I have the steering - this, Karly, is not much amiss!

We want your streamers, Friend, you know;
together, as we go,

We make a kind of handsome show!
Ang these hills, from first to last,
We're weathered many a furious blast;
passage forcing on, with head
Arst the storm, and canvas spread.
itatea boaster-but to thee
Way't, who knowest both land and sea,
Tmluckiest Hulk that sails the brine

adly worse beset than mine

cross winds on her quarter beat;
fry lifted from my feet,

I stayer coward-Heaven knows how-
3 not so pleasantly as now-
Px: Plot I, by snows confounded,
And many a foundrous pit surrounded!
Yet here we are, by night and day

Georg through rough and smooth our way,
Tigh foul and fair our task fulfilling;
Anong shall be so yet-God willing!'

"Ay," said the Tar, "through fair and foulsave us from yon screeching Owl!" Tat matant was begun a fray

called their thoughts another way:
Mastif, ill-conditioned carl!

at must he do but growl and snarl,
ve and more dissatisfied

W the meek comrade at his side!
ant incensed though put to proof,

Ass, uplifting a hind hoof,
the Mastiff on the head;

Sys were better manners bred,
And all was calmed and quieted.

Ya Screech-Owl," says the Sailor, turning this former cause of mourning, "In Ox!-pray God that all be well! Te than any funeral bell; are as I've the gift of sight, Thall be meeting Ghosts to-night!" - Benjamin, "This whip shall lay

and, if they cross our way. w that Wanton's noisy station, This and his occupation;

Bird hath learned his cheer - the banks of Windermere ; retribe of them make merry, Vong the Man that keeps the Ferry;

a ng fren an open throat, Late Travellers shouting for a Boat. - tricks he learned at Windermere Ta vagrant Owl is playing here

That is the worst of his employment: He's in the height of his enjoyment:

This explanation stilled the alarm,
Cured the foreboder like a charm;
This, and the manner, and the voice,
Summoned the Sailor to rejoice;
His heart is up-he fears no evil
From life or death, from man or devil;
He wheeled — and, making many stops,
Brandished his crutch against the mountain tops;
And, while he talked of blows and scars,
Benjamin, among the stars,

Beheld a dancing-and a glancing;
Such retreating and advancing
As, I ween, was never seen

In bloodiest battle since the days of Mars!

CANTO FOURTH.

Thus they, with freaks of proud delight,
Beguile the remnant of the night;
And many a snatch of jovial song
Regales them as they wind along⚫
While to the music, from on high,
The echoes make a glad reply. —
But the sage Muse the revel heeds
No farther than her story needs;
Nor will she servilely attend
The loitering journey to its end.
-Blithe Spirits of her own impel
The Muse, who scents the morning air,
To take of this transported Pair
A brief and unreproved farewell;
To quit the slow-paced Waggon's side,
And wander down yon hawthorn dell,
With murmuring Greta for her guide.
-There doth she ken the awful form
Of Raven-crag-black as the storm-
Glimmering through the twilight pale;
And Gimmer-crag*, his tall twin brother,
Each peering forth to meet the other:
:-
And, while she roves through St. John's Vale,
Along the smooth unpathwayed plain,
By sheep-track or through cottage lane,
Where no disturbance comes to intrude
Upon the pensive solitude,

Her unsuspecting eye, perchance,

With the rude Shepherd's favoured glance,
Beholds the Faeries in array,

Whose party-coloured garments gay
The silent company betray;

Red, green, and blue; a moment's sight!
For Skiddaw-top with rosy-light