The pair had but one inmate in their house, An only child, who had been born to them When Michael, telling o'er his years, began Of day grew dim the housewife hung a An aged utensil, which had performed 115 To deem that he was old-in shepherd's Surviving comrade of uncounted hours, Which, going by from year to year, had found, And left, the couple neither gay perhaps 120 Stood single, and, from matchless depth of Not fearing toil, nor length of weary ways, shade, Chosen for the shearer's covert from the sun, Thence in our rustic dialect was called The CLIPPING TREE, a name which yet it bears. 170 He with his father daily went, and they Were as companions, why should I relate That objects which the shepherd loved before Were dearer now? that from the boy there came were 200 There, while they two were sitting in the Feelings and emanations - things which shade, With others round them, earnest all and blithe, Would Michael exercise his heart with looks Of fond correction and reproof bestowed Upon the child. if he disturbed the sheep Light to the sun and music to the wind; And that the old man's heart seemed born again? Thus in his father's sight the boy grew up! |