Wil. (approaching MARMADUKE.) O my poor Master! Mar. Discerning Monitor, my faithful Wilfred, Why art thou here? [Turning to WALLACE. Wallace, upon these Borders, Many there be whose eyes will not want cause By one who would have died a thousand times, Mar. No more of that; in silence hear A hermitage has furnished fit relief To some offenders; other penitents, Captain! my doom; Less patient in their wretchedness, have fallen, No human dwelling ever give me food, A man by pain and thought compelled to live, In Heaven, and Mercy gives me leave to die. 1795-6. POEMS REFERRING TO THE PERIOD OF CHILDHOOD. I. My heart leaps up when I behold So was it when my life began ; So be it when I shall grow old, Or let me die ! The Child is father of the Man ; Bound each to each by natural piety. II. TO A BUTTERFLY. STAY near me; do not take thy flight! Much converse do I find in thee, Float near me; do not yet depart! 1804. Dead times revive in thee: Thou bring'st, gay creature as thou art! My father's family! Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days, Together chased the butterfly! A very hunter did I rush Upon the prey-with leaps and springs III. THE SPARROW'S NEST. BEHOLD, within the leafy shade, The home and sheltered bed, The Sparrow's dwelling, which, hard by My Father's house, in wet or dry, My sister Emmeline and I Together visited. 1801. She looked at it and seemed to fear it; She gave me eyes, she gave me ears; IV. FORESIGHT. THAT is work of waste and ruin We must spare them - here are many: Small and low, though fair as any: Do not touch it! summers two I am older, Anne, than you. Pull the primrose, sister Anne! Pull as many as you can. Here are daisies, take your fill; Pansies, and the cuckoo-flower: 1801. |