XIII. THE IDLE SHEPHERD-BOYS; OR, DUNGEON-GHYLL FORCE.* A PASTORAL. I. THE valley rings with mirth and joy; The Magpie chatters with delight; 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, "Down to the stump of yon old yew We'll for our Whistles run a race." -Away the Shepherds flew. They leapt they ran - and when they came Right opposite to Dungeon-Ghyll, V. "Now cross where I shall cross 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 come on, -- 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 Again! his heart within him dies His pulse is stopped, his breath is lost, A Lamb, that in the pool is pent Within that black and frightful Rent. VII. The Lamb had slipped into the stream, 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. VIII. When he had learnt what thing it was, And there the helpless Lamb he found, By those huge rocks encompassed round. IX. He drew it gently from the pool, And brought it forth into the light: The Shepherds met him with his Charge, An unexpected sight! Into their arms the Lamb they took, Said they, "He's neither maimed nor scarred." 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. |