"So in the churchyard she was laid; "And when the ground was white with snow, And I could run and slide, My brother John was forced to go, And he lies by her side." "How many are you, then," said I, If they two are in heaven?" Quick was the little Maid's reply, "O Master! we are seven." "But they are dead; those two are dead! Their spirits are in heaven!" 'Twas throwing words away; for still The little Maid would have her will, And said, "Nay, we are seven!" THE IDLE SHEPHERD-BOYS. A PASTORAL. THE valley rings with mirth and joy; A never, never ending song, To welcome in the May. The magpic chatters with delight; through the glittering vapors dart eneath a rock, upon the grass, pipes of sycamore they play nd thus, as happy as the day, ong the river's stony marge ose boys with their green coronal; at plaintive cry! which up the hill mes from the depth of Dungeon-Ghyll. 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 Seeing that he should lose the prize, "Cross, if you dare, where I shall cross,- Come on, The other took him at his word, And followed as he led. It was a spot which you may see If ever you to Langdale go; Into the chasm a mighty block Hath fallen, and made a bridge of rock: The gulf is deep below; And, in a basin black and small, Receives a lofty waterfall. With staff in hand across the cleft The challenger pursued his march; And now, all eyes and feet, hath gained The middle of the arch. When list! he hears a piteous moan mb, that in the pool is pent lamb had slipped into the stream, safe without a bruise or wound cataract had borne him down dam had seen him when he fell, lamb, still swimming round and round, e answer in that plaintive sound. en he had learnt what thing it was a gladly now deferred their task; And there the helpless lamb he found He drew it from the troubled pool, And brought it forth into the light: The Shepherds met him with his charge, Into their arms the lamb they took, Whose life and limbs the flood had spared; 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. THE PET LAMB. A PASTORAL. THE dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink; I heard a voice; it said, "Drink, pretty creature, drink!" And, looking o'er the hedge, before me I espied A suow-white mountain-lamb with a Maiden at its side. Nor sheep nor kine were near; the lamb was all alone, |