And it seemed, as I retraced the ballad line by line, That but half of it was hers, and one half of it was mine. Again, and once again did I repeat the song; Nay," said I, "more than half to the Damsel must belong, For she looked with such a look, and she spake with such a tone, That I almost received her heart into my own." XIII. THE IDLE SHEPHERD-BOYS; OR, DUNGEON-GHYLL FORCE.* A PASTORAL. I. THE valley rings with mirth and joy; The Magpie chatters with delight; Have left the Mother and the Nest; Or through the glittering Vapours dart Ghyll in the dialect of Cumberland and Westmoreland is a short, and for the most part, a steep narrow valley, with a stream running through it. Force is the word universally employed in these dialects for Waterfall. II. Beneath a rock, upon the grass, On pipes of sycamore they play And thus, as happy as the Day, Those Shepherds wear the time away. III. Along the river's stony marge The Sand-lark chaunts a joyous song; A thousand Lambs are on the rocks, Those Boys with their green Coronal; cry, That plaintive cry! which up the hill Comes from the depth of Dungeon-Ghyll. IV. Said Walter, leaping from the ground, They leapt they ran-and when they came Right opposite to Dungeon-Ghyll, Seeing that he should lose the prize, 66 Stop!" to his comrade Walter cries James stopped with no good will: Said Walter then, "Your task is here, 'Twill keep you working half a year. And follow me where I shall lead". The other took him at his word; But did not like the deed. It was a spot, which you may see Into a chasm a mighty Block Hath fallen, and made a Bridge of rock: The gulph is deep below; And in a basin black and small Receives a lofty Waterfall. VI. With staff in hand across the cleft The Challenger began his march; And now, all eyes and feet, hath gained When list! he hears a piteous moan A Lamb, that in the pool is pent Within that black and frightful Rent. VII. The Lamb had slipped into the stream, And safe without a bruise or wound The Cataract had borne him down His Dam had seen him when he fell, And, while with all a mother's love She from the lofty rocks above Sent forth a cry forlorn, The Lamb, still swimming round and round, Made answer to that plaintive sound. |