When he had learnt what thing it was,
That sent this rueful cry; I ween
The Boy recovered heart, and told
80
The sight which he had seen.
Both gladly now deferred their task;
Nor was there wanting other aid—
A Poet, one who loves the brooks
Far better than the sages’ books,
85
By chance had thither strayed;
And there the helpless lamb he found
By those huge rocks encompassed round.
He drew it from the troubled pool, [10]
And brought it forth into the light:
90
The Shepherds met him with his charge,
An unexpected sight!
Into their arms the lamb they took,
Whose life and limbs the flood had spared;
[11]
Then up the steep ascent they hied,
95
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 “bridge of rock” across Dungeon-Ghyll “chasm,” and the “lofty waterfall,” with all its accessories of place as described in the poem, remain as they were in 1800.—Ed.
* * * * *
VARIANTS ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:
1800.
The valley rings with mirth and joy;
And, pleased to welcome in the May,
From hill to hill the echoes fling
Their liveliest roundelay. 1836.
The text of 1845 returns to that of 1800.]
[Variant 2:
1836.
It seems they have no work to do
Or that their work is done. 1800.
Boys that have had no work to do,
Or work that now is done. 1827.]
[Variant 3:
1805.
I’ll run with you a race.”—No more—1800.
We’ll for this Whistle run a race.” ... 1802.]
[Variant 4:
1836.
Said Walter then, “Your task is
here,
’Twill keep you working half a year.
1800.
’Twill baffle you for half a year. 1827.]
[Variant 5:
1836.
Till you have cross’d where I shall
cross,
Say that you’ll neither sleep nor
eat.” 1800.
“Now cross where I shall cross,—come
on
And follow me where I shall lead—”
1802.
“Cross, if you dare, where I shall
cross—
Come on, and in my footsteps tread!”
1827.]
[Variant 6:
1827.
James proudly took him at his word,
But did not like the feat. 1800.
... the deed. 1802.
The other took him at his word, 1805.]
[Variant 7:
1827.
... began ... 1800.]
[Variant 8:
1827.
... pale as any ghost, 1800.]
[Variant 9: