And for the land, his small inheritance.
And to that hollow dell from time to time
Did he repair, to build the Fold of which
His flock had need. 'Tis not forgotten yet
The pity which was then in every heart
For the old Man-and 'tis believed by all
That many and many a day he thither went,
And never lifted up a single stone.

There, by the Sheep-fold, sometimes was he seen
Sitting alone, or with his faithful Dog,
Then old, beside him, lying at his feet.

The length of full seven years, from time to time,
He at the building of this Sheep-fold wrought,
And left the work unfinished when he died.
Three years, or little more, did Isabel

Survive her Husband: at her death the estate

Was sold, and went into a stranger's hand.

The Cottage which was named the EVENING STAR
Is gone-the ploughshare has been through the ground
On which it stood; great changes have been wrought
In all the neighbourhood:-yet the oak is left

That
grew beside their door; and the remains
Of the unfinished Sheep-fold may be seen
Beside the boisterous brook of Green-head Ghyll.

1800.

XXX.

THE ARMENIAN LADY'S LOVE.

[The subject of the following poem is from the Orlandus of the author's friend, Kenelm Henry Digby: and the liberty is taken of inscribing it to him as an acknowledgment, however unworthy, of pleasure and instruction derived from his numerous and valuable writings, illustrative of the piety and chivalry of the olden time.]

.

I.

You have heard a Spanish Lady
How she wooed an English man*;'
Hear now of a fair Armenian,

Daughter of the proud Soldàn;

How she loved a Christian Slave, and told her pain
By word, look, deed, with hope that he might love again.

II.

"Pluck that rose, it moves my liking,"

Said she, lifting up her veil;
“Pluck it for me, gentle gardener,
Ere it wither and grow pale."

"Princess fair, I till the ground, but may not take From twig or bed an humbler flower, even for your sake!"

* See, in Percy's Reliques, that fine old ballad, "The Spanish Lady's Love;" from which Poem the form of stanza, as suitable to dialogue, is adopted.

III.

"Grieved am I, submissive Christian !

To behold thy captive state;
Women, in your land, may pity

(May they not?) the unfortunate."

“Yes, kind Lady! otherwise man could not bear Life, which to every one that breathes is full of care."

IV.

"Worse than idle is compassion
If it end in tears and sighs;
Thee from bondage would I rescue
And from vile indignities;

Nurtured, as thy mien bespeaks, in high degree,
Look up-and help a hand that longs to set thee free."

V.

"Lady! dread the wish, nor venture

In such peril to engage;

Think how it would stir against you

Your most loving father's rage:

Sad deliverance would it be, and yoked with shame, Should troubles overflow on her from whom it came."

VI.

“Generous Frank! the just in effort
Are of inward peace secure :
Hardships for the brave encountered,
Even the feeblest may endure :

If almighty grace through me thy chains unbind,
My father for slave's work may seek a slave in mind."

VII.

66

Princess, at this burst of goodness, My long-frozen heart grows warm!" "Yet you make all courage fruitless, Me to save from chance of harm : Leading such companion I that gilded dome, Yon minarets, would gladly leave for his worst home."

VIII.

"Feeling tunes your voice, fair Princess!

And

your

brow is free from scorn,

Else these words would come like mockery,

Sharper than the pointed thorn."

"Whence the undeserved mistrust? Too wide apart

Our faith hath been,-O would that eyes could see the heart!"

IX.

"Tempt me not, I pray; my doom is
These base implements to wield;
Rusty lance, I ne'er shall grasp thee,
Ne'er assoil my cobwebb'd shield!

Never see my native land, nor castle towers,
Nor Her who thinking of me there counts widowed hours."

X.

"Prisoner pardon youthful fancies;

Wedded? If you can, say nó!

Blessed is and be your consort;

Hopes I cherished-let them go !

Handmaid's privilege would leave my purpose free,
Without another link to my felicity."

XI.

"Wedded love with loyal Christians,

Lady, is a mystery rare;

Body, heart, and soul in union,

Make one being of a pair."

"Humble love in me would look for no return,

Soft as a guiding star that cheers, but cannot burn."