6.  Now Peter, when he heard such talk, Would, heedless of a broken pate, Stand like a man asleep, or balk 400 Some wishing guest of knife or fork, Or drop and break his master’s plate.

7.  At night he oft would start and wake Like a lover, and began In a wild measure songs to make 405 On moor, and glen, and rocky lake, And on the heart of man—­

8.  And on the universal sky—­ And the wide earth’s bosom green,—­ And the sweet, strange mystery 410 Of what beyond these things may lie, And yet remain unseen.

9.  For in his thought he visited The spots in which, ere dead and damned, He his wayward life had led; 415 Yet knew not whence the thoughts were fed Which thus his fancy crammed.

10.  And these obscure remembrances Stirred such harmony in Peter, That, whensoever he should please, 420 He could speak of rocks and trees In poetic metre.

11.  For though it was without a sense Of memory, yet he remembered well Many a ditch and quick-set fence; 425 Of lakes he had intelligence, He knew something of heath and fell.

12.  He had also dim recollections Of pedlars tramping on their rounds; Milk-pans and pails; and odd collections 430 Of saws, and proverbs; and reflections Old parsons make in burying-grounds.

13.  But Peter’s verse was clear, and came Announcing from the frozen hearth Of a cold age, that none might tame 435 The soul of that diviner flame It augured to the Earth: 

14.  Like gentle rains, on the dry plains, Making that green which late was gray, Or like the sudden moon, that stains 440 Some gloomy chamber’s window-panes With a broad light like day.

15.  For language was in Peter’s hand Like clay while he was yet a potter; And he made songs for all the land, 445 Sweet both to feel and understand, As pipkins late to mountain Cotter.

16.  And Mr. —­, the bookseller, Gave twenty pounds for some;—­then scorning A footman’s yellow coat to wear, 450 Peter, too proud of heart, I fear, Instantly gave the Devil warning.

17.  Whereat the Devil took offence, And swore in his soul a great oath then, ’That for his damned impertinence 455 He’d bring him to a proper sense Of what was due to gentlemen!’