Then, settling into fond discourse, We told o'er all that we had done, — Of We talked of change, of winter gone, green leaves on the hawthorn spray, Of birds that build their nests and sing, And all "since Mother went away"! To her these tales they will repeat, But, see, the evening star comes forth! To bed the children must depart; A sadness at the heart: and in a merry fit They run up stairs in gamesome race; I could have joined the wanton chase. Five minutes past, - and O the change! Their busy limbs in perfect rest, And closed the sparkling eye. 1807. VIII. ALICE FELL; OR, POVERTY. THE post-boy drove with fierce career, Was smitten with a startling sound. As if the wind blew many ways, I heard the sound, and more and more; It seemed to follow with the chaise, And still I heard it as before. At length I to the boy called out; The boy then smacked his whip, and fast Forthwith alighting on the ground, "Whence comes," said I, "this piteous moan?" And there a little Girl I found, Sitting behind the chaise, alone. "My cloak!" no other word she spake, But loud and bitterly she wept, As if her innocent heart would break; And down from off her seat she leapt. "What ails you, child?" She sobbed, "Look here!" I saw it in the wheel entangled, A weather-beaten rag as e'er From any garden scarecrow dangled. There, twisted between nave and spoke, "And whither are you going, child, Insensible to all relief Sat the poor girl, and forth did send Could never, never have an end. 66 "My child, in Durham do you dwell?" She checked herself in her distress, And said, "My name is Alice Fell; I'm fatherless and motherless. "And I to Durham, Sir, belong." Again, as if the thought would choke Her very heart, her grief grew strong; And all was for her tattered cloak ! The chaise drove on; our journey's end Up to the tavern door we post; "And let it be of duffel gray, As warm a cloak as man can sell!" IX. LUCY GRAY; OR, SOLITUDE. OFT I had heard of Lucy Gray: No mate, no comrade Lucy knew; The sweetest thing that ever grew You yet may spy the fawn at play, But the sweet face of Lucy Gray "To-night will be a stormy night,You to the town must go; And take a lantern, Child, to light "That, Father! will I gladly do: 'Tis scarcely afternoon, The minster-clock has just struck two, And yonder is the moon!" |