Right opposite to Dungeon-Gill, 66 Stop!" to his comrade Walter cries— James stopp'd with no good will: Said Walter then, "Your task is here, "Twill keep you working half a year. V. Till you have cross'd where I shall cross, Say that you'll neither sleep nor eat." James proudly took him at his word, It was spot, which you may see If ever you to Langdale go: Into a chasm a mighty Block Hath fallen, and made a bridge of rock; The gulph is deep below, And in a bason 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 gain'd When list! he hears a piteous moan- A Lamb, that in the pool is pent VII. The Lamb had slipp'd into the stream, And safe without a bruise or wound The Cataract had borne him down Into the gulph profound. His dam had seen him when he fell, She saw him down the torrent borne ; 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. VIII. When he had learnt, what thing it was, That sent this rueful cry ; I ween, The Boy recover'd heart, and told IX. He drew it gently from the pool, And brought it forth into the light: The Shepherds met him with his charge Into their arms the Lamb they took, Said they, "He's neither maim'd nor scarr'd" Then up the steep ascent they hied And placed him at his Mother's side; And gently did the Bard Those idle Shepherd-boys upbraid, And bade them better mind their trade. 'Tis said, that some have died for love : Because the wretched man himself had slain, And there is one whom I five years have known; He dwells alone Upon Helvellyn's side. He loved The pretty Barbara died, And thus he makes his moan: Three years had Barbara in her grave been laid When thus his moan he made. |