20 A story-unenriched with strange events, For their own sakes, but for the fields and hills Where was their occupation and abode. 30 (At random and imperfectly indeed) | UPON the forest-side in Grasmere Vale 40 There dwelt a Shepherd, Michael was his name; An old man, stout of heart, and strong of limb. His bodily frame had been from youth to age Of an unusual strength: his mind was keen, Of blasts of every tone; and, oftentimes, boy grew up A healthy Lad, and carried in his cheek With iron, making it throughout in all Or looks, or threatening gestures, could perform. But soon as Luke, full ten years old, could stand Against the mountain blasts; and to the heights, Not fearing toil, nor length of weary ways, In surety for his brother's son, a man Than half his substance. This unlooked-for claim, At the first hearing, for a moment took More hope out of his life than he supposed That any old man ever could have lost. 220 As soon as he had armed himself with strength To look his trouble in the face, it seemed The Shepherd's sole resource to sell at once A portion of his patrimonial fields. Such was his first resolve; he thought again, And his heart failed him. "Isabel," said he, Two evenings after he had heard the news, "I have been toiling more than seventy Had been no sorrow. I forgive him; - but go, 250 And with his kinsman's help and his own thrift He quickly will repair this loss, and then He may return to us. If here he stay, What can be done? Where every one is poor, What can be gained?" At this the old Man paused, And Isabel sat silent, for her mind Was busy, looking back into past times. There's Richard Bateman, thought she to herself, He was a parish-boy-at the church-door They made a gathering for him, shillings, pence And halfpennies, wherewith the neighbours bought 260 go: We have no other Child but thee to lose And Isabel, when she had told her fears, Recovered heart. That evening her best fare 301 Did she bring forth, and all together sat Like happy people round a Christmas fire. With daylight Isabel resumed her work; And all the ensuing week the house appeared As cheerful as a grove in Spring: at length The expected letter from their kinsman came, With kind assurances that he would do 310 He might be sent to him. Ten times or more The letter was read over; Isabel |