When he had learnt what thing it was Both gladly now deferred their task ; He drew it gently from the pool, And brought it forth into the light : The fhepherds met him with his charge, An unexpected fight! Into their arms the lamb they took, Said they, "He's neither maimed nor fcarred." Then up the steep afcent they hied, And placed him at his mother's fide; Those idle fhepherd-boys upbraid, And bade them better mind their trade. MID the fmoke of cities did you pass Your time of early youth; and there you learned, The living beings by your own fire-fide, With fuch a strong devotion, that your heart Is flow towards the fympathies of them Who look upon the hills with tenderness, And make dear friendships with the ftreams and groves. Yet we, who are tranfgreffors in this kind, Dwelling retired in our fimplicity Among the woods and fields, we love you well, Joanna! and I guefs, fince you have been However trivial, if you thence are taught That they, with whom you once were happy, talk Familiarly of you and of old times. While I was feated, now fome ten days past, Their ancient neighbour, the old steeple-tower, I, like a Runic prieft, in characters Of formidable fize had chifelled out Some uncouth name upon the native rock, -'Twas that delightful season when the broom, Along the copfes runs in veins of gold. |