It is-if sense deceive her not-'tis he!

“ Be taught, O faithful consort, to control And a god leads him-winged Mercury!

Rebellious passion: for the gods approve

The depth, and not the tumult of the soul;
Mild Hermes spake—and touched her with his wand

A fervent, not ungovernable love.
That calms all fear,“ Such grace hath crowned thy

Thy transports moderate; and meekly moura
Laodamia, that at Jove's command (prayer,

When I depart, for brief is my sojourn—"
Thy husband walks the paths of upper air:
He comes to tarry with thee three hours' space; “ Ah, wherefore ?-Did not Hercules by force
Accept the gift, behold him face to face !"

Wrest from the guardian monster of the tomb

Alcestis, a reanimated corse,
Forth sprang the impassioned queen her lord to Given back to dwell on earth in beauty's bloon!
Again that consummation she essayed; (clasp;

Medea's spells dispersed the weight of years,
But unsubstantial form eludes her grasp

And Æson stood a youth 'mid youthful peers.
As often as that eager grasp was made.
The phantom parts—but parts to re-unite,

“ The gods to us are merciful—and they
And re-assume his place before her sight.

Yet further may relent: for mightier far

Than strength of nerve and sinew, or the sway “ Protesilaus, lo! thy guide is gone!

Of magic potent over sun and star,
Confirm, I pray, the vision with thy voice:
I

Is love, though oft to agony distrest, [bree!
This is our palace,-yonder is thy throne;

And though his favourite seat be feeble womaa'i
Speak, and the floor thou tread'st on will rejoice.
Not to appal me have the gods bestowed

" But if thou go'st, I follow"_“ Peace!” he saidThis precious boon,-and blest a sad abode." She looked upon him and was calmed and cheeret;

The ghastly colour from his lips had Jed; “Great Jove, Laodamia, doth not leave

In his deportment, shape, and mien, appeared
His gifts imperfect:-Spectre though I be,

Elysian beauty-melancholy grace-
I am not sent to scare thee or deceive;

Brought from a pensive though a happy place.
But in reward of thy fidelity.
And something also did my worth obtain ;

He spake of love, such love as spirits feel
For fearless virtue bringeth boundless gain.

In worlds whose course is equable and pure;

No fears to beat away-no strife to heal-
“ Thou know'st, the Delphic oracle foretold The past unsighed for, and the future sure;
That the first Greek who touched the Trojan strand Spake, as a witness, of a second birth
Should die; but me the threat could not withhold: For all that is most perfect upon earth:
A generous cause a victim did demand;
And forth I leapt upon the sandy plain;

Of all that is most beauteous—imaged there
A self-devoted chief-by Hector slain.”

In happier beauty; more pellucid streams,

An ampler ether, a diviner air,
Supreme of heroes-bravest, noblest, best! And fields invested with purpureal gleams;
Thy matchless courage I bewail no more,

Climes which the sun, who sheds the brightest day
Which then, when tens of thousands were deprest Earth knows, is all unworthy to survey.
By doubt, propelled thee to the fatal shore:
Thou found’st—and I forgive thee-here thou art-

Yet there the soul shall enter which hath earned A nobler counsellor than my poor heart.

That privilege by virtue.—“ III,” said he,

* The end of man's existence I discerned, “ But thou, though capable of sternest deed, Who from ignoble games and revelry Wert kind as resolute, and good as brave;

Could draw, whien we had parted, vain delight, And he, whose power restores thee, hath decreed While tears were thy best pastime,-day and night: That thou shouldst cheat the malice of the grave; Redundant are thy lucks, thy lips as fair

“ And while my youthful peers, before my eyes, As when their breath enriched Thessalian air. (Each hero following his peculiar bent)

Prepared themselves for glorious enterprize “ No spectre greets me,-no vain shadow this:

By martial sports,-or, seated in the tent, Come, blooming hero, place thee by my side!

Chieftains and kings in council were detained ; Give, on this well-known couch, one nuptial kiss What time the fleet at Aulis lay enchained. To me, this day, a second time thy bride!" Jove frowned in heaven; the conscious Parcæ threw “ The wish’d-for wind was given :- I then revolved Upon those roseate lips a Stygian hue.

The oracle, upon the silent sea;

And, if no worthier led the way, resolved “ This visage tells thee that my doom is past:

That, of a thousand vessels, mine should be Know, virtue were not virtue if the joys

The foremost prow in pressing to the strand,Of sense were able to return as fast

Mine the first blood that tinged the Trojan sand. And surely as they vanish.-Earth destroys Those raptures duly-Erebus disdains:

“ Yet bitter, oft-times bitter, was the pang Calm pleasures th abide-majestic pains. When of thy loss I thought, beloved wife;

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a

So many incidents upon his mind

Murmur as with the sound of summer flies. Of hardship, skill or courage, joy or fear;

This light was famous in its neighbourhood, Which like a book preserved the memory

And was a public symbol of the life Of the dumb animals, whom he had saved,

The thrifty pair had lived. For, as it chanced, Had fed or sheltered, linking to such acts,

Their cottage on a plot of rising ground So grateful in themselves, the certainty

Stood single, with large prospect, north and south, Of honourable gain; these fields, these hills, High into Easedale, up to Dunmal-Raise, Which were his living being, even more

And westward to the village near the lake; Than his own blood—what could they less? had laid And from this constant light, so regular Strong hold on his affections, were to him

And so far seen, the house itself, by all A pleasurable feeling of blind love,

Who dwelt within the limits of the vale, The pleasure which there is in life itself.

Both old and young, was named The Evening Star. His days had not been passed in singleness. Thus living on through such a length of years, His helpmate was a comely matron, old

The shepherd, if he loved himself, must needs Though younger than himself full twenty years. Have loved his help-mate; but to Michael's heart She was a woman of a stirring life,

This son of his old age was yet more dearWhose heart was in her house: two wheels she had Effect which might perhaps have been produced Of antique form, this large for spinning wool, By that instinctive tenderness, the same That small for tlax; and if one wheel had rest, Blind spirit, which is in the blood of allIt was because the other was at work.

Or that a child, more than all other gifts, The pair had but one inmate in their house, Brings hope with it, and forward-looking thoughts, An only child, who had been born to them

And stirrings of inquietude, when they
When Michael telling o'er his years began

By tendency of nature needs must fail.
To deem that he was old,-in shepherd's phrase, From such, and other causes, to the thoughts
With one foot in the grave. This only son,

Of the old man his only son was now
With two brave sheep-dogs tried in many a storm, The dearest object that he knew on earth.
The one of an inestimable worth,

Exceeding was the love he bare to him,
Made all their household. I may truly say, His heart and his heart's joy! For oftentimes
That they were as a proverb in the vale,

Old Michael, while he was a babe in arms,
For endless industry. When day was gone,

Had done him female service, not alone And from their occupations out of doors

For dalliance and delight, as is the use
The son and father were come home, even then Of fathers, but with patient mind enforced
Their labour did not cease; unless when all

To acts of tenderness; and he had rocked
Turned to their cleanly supper-board, and there, His cradle with a woman's gentle hand.
Each with a mess of pottage and skimmed milk, And, in a later time, ere yet the boy
Sat round their basket piled with oaten cakes, Had put on boy's attire, did Michael love,
And their plain home-made cheese. Yet when their Albeit of a stern unbending mind,
Was ended, Luke (for so the son was named) (meal To have the young one in his sight, when be
And his old father both betook themselves

Had work by his own door, or when he sat
To such convenient work as might employ

With sheep before him on his shepherd's stool, Their hands by the fire-side; perhaps to card Beneath that large old oak, which near their door Wool for the housewife's spindle, or repair

Stood,-and, from its enormous breadth of shade Some injury done to sickle, flail, or scythe, Chosen for the shearer's covert from the sun, Or other implement of house or field.

Thence in our rustic dialect was called Down from the cieling, by the chimney's edge, The Clipping Tree, a name which yet it bears. Which in our ancient uncouth country style There, while they two were sitting in the shade, Did with a huge projection overbrow

With others round them, earnest all and blithe, Large space beneath, as duly as the light

Would Michael exercise his heart with looks
Of day grew dim the housewife hung a lamp; Of fond correction and reproof bestowed
An aged utensil, which had performed

Upon the child, if he disturbed the sheep
Service beyond all others of its kind.

By catching at their legs, or with his shouts Early at evening did it burn and late,

Scared them, while they lay still beneath the shears. Surviving comrade of uncounted hours,

And when by Heaven's good grace the boy grew up Which going by from year to year had found A healthy lad, and carried in his check And left the couple neither gay perhaps

Two steady roses that were five years old,
Nor cheerful, yet with objects and with hopes, Then Michael from a winter coppice cut
Living a life of eager industry.

With his own hand a sapling, which he hooped
And now, when Luke was in his eighteenth year, With iron, making it throughout in all
There by the light of this old lamp they sat, Due requisites a perfect shepherd's staff,
Father and son, while late into the night

And gave it to the boy, wherewith equipt
The housewife plied her own peculiar work, He as a watchman oftentimes was placed
Making the cottage through the silent hours At gate or gap, to stem or turn the flock;

And, to his office prematurely called,

Another kinsman-he will be our friend There stood the urchin, as you will divine,

In this distress. He is a prosperous man, Something between a hindrance and a help; Thriving in trade—and Luke to him shall go, And for this cause not always, I believe,

And with his kinsman's help and his own thrift Receiving from his father hire of praise;

He quickly will repair this loss, and then Though nought was left undone which staff or voice, May come again to us. If here he stay, Or looks, or threatening gestures could perform. What can be done? Where every one is poor

But soon as Luke, full ten years old, could stand What can be gained ?" At this the old man paused, Against the mountain blasts, and to the heights, And Isabel sat silent, for her mind Not fearing toil, nor length of weary ways,

Was busy, looking back into past times. He with his father daily went, and they

There's Richard Bateman, thought she to herself, Were as companions, why should I relate

He was a parish-boy-at the church-door That objects which the shepherd loved before They made a gathering for him, shillings, pence, Were dearer now? that from the boy there came And halfpennies, wherewith the neighbours bought Feelings and emanations—things which were A basket, which they filled with pedlar's wares; Light to the sun and music to the wind;

And with this basket on his arm, the lad And that the old man's heart seemed born again. Went up to London, found a master there, Thus in his father's sight the boy grew up:

Who out of many chose the trusty boy And now when he had reached his eighteenth year, To go and overlook his merchandize He was his comfort and his daily hope.

Beyond the seas, where he grew wondrous rich,

And left estates and monies to the poor, While in this sort the simple household lived And at his birth-place built a chapel Moored From day to day, to Michael's ear there came With marble, which he sent from foreign lands. Distressful tidings. Long before the time

These thoughts, and many others of like sort, Of which I speak, the shepherd had been bound Passed quickly through the mind of Isabel, In surety for his brother's son, a man

And her face brightened. The old man was glad, Of an industrious life, and ample means,

And thus resumed :—" Well, Isabel! this scheme But unforeseen misfortunes suddenly

These two days has been meat and drink to me. Had pressed upon him,-and old Michael now Far more than we have lost is left us yet. Was summoned to discharge the forfeiture,

-We have enough-I wish indeed that I A grievous penalty, but little less

Were younger,--but this hope is a good hope. Than half his substance. This unlooked-for claim, - Make ready Luke's best garments, of the best At the first hearing, for a moment took

Buy for him more, and let us send him forth More hope out of his life than he supposed

To-morrow, or the next day, or to-night: That any old man ever could have lost.

-If he could go, the boy should go to-night.” As soon as he had gathered so much strength Here Michael ceased, and to the fields went forth That he could look his trouble in the face,

With a light heart. The housewife for five days It seemed that his sole refuge was to sell

Was restless morn and night, and all day long A portion of his patrimonial fields.

Wrought on with her best fingers to prepare Such was his first resolve; he thought again, Things needful for the journey of her son. And his heart failed him. Isabel,” said he, But Isabel was glad wheu Sunday came Two evenings after he had heard the news,

To stop her in her work: for, when she lay “ I have been toiling more than seventy years,

By Michael's side, she through the two last nights And in the open sunshine of God's love

Heard him, how he was troubled in his sleep: Have we all lived; yet if these fields of ours And when they rose at morning she could see Should pass into a stranger's hand, I think

That all his hopes were gone. That day at noon That I could not lie quiet in my grave.

She said to Luke, while they two by themselves Our lot is a hard lot; the sun itself

Were sitting at the door, " Thou must not go: Has scarcely been more diligent than I,

We have no other child but thee to lose, And I have lived to be a fool at last

None to remember-do not go away, To my own family. An evil man

For if thou leave thy father he will die." That was, and made an evil choice, if he

The youth made answer with a jocund voice; Were false to us; and, if he were not false,

And Isabel, when she had told her fears, There are ten thousand to whom loss like this Recovered heart. That evening her best fare Had been no sorrow. I forgive him—but

Did she bring forth, and all together sat "Twere better to be dumb than to talk thus.

Like happy people round a Christmas fire. When I began, my purpose was to speak

With daylight Isabel resumed her work; Of remedies and of a cheerful hope.

And all the ensuing week the house appeared Our Luke shall leave us, Isabel; the land

As cheerful as a grove in Spring: at length Shall not go from us, and it shall be free.

The expected letter from their kinsman came, He shall possess it, free as is the wind

With kind assurances that he would do That passes over it. We have, thou know'st, His utmost for the welfare of the boy;

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To which requests were added that forthwith But 'tis a long time to look back, my son,
He might be sent to him. Ten times or more And see so little gain from sixty years.
The letter was read over; Isabel

These fields were burthened when they came to me;
Went forth to shew it to the neighbours round; Till I was forty years of age, not more
Nor was there at that time on English land

Than half of my inheritance was mine. A prouder heart than Luke's. When Isabel I toiled and toiled; God blessed me in my work, Had to her house returned, the old man said, And till these three weeks past the land was free. “ He shall depart to-morrow.” To this word - It looks as if it never could endure The housewife answered, talking much of things Another master. Heaven forgive me, Luke, Which, if at such short notice he should go, If I judge ill for thee, but it seems good Would surely be forgotten. But at length

That thou shouldst go.” At this the old man paus'd; She gave consent, and Michael was at ease. Then, pointing to the stones near which they stood,

Near the tumultuous brook of Green-head Ghyll, Thus, after a short silence, he resumed: In that deep valley, Michael had designed

“ This was a work for us; and now, my son, To build a sheep-fold; and, before he heard It is a work for me. But, lay one stoneThe tidings of bis melancholy loss,

Here, lay it for me, Luke, with thine own hands. For this same purpose he had gathered up

Nay, boy, be of good hope ;-we both may live A heap of stones, which by the streamlet's edge To see a better day. At eighty-four Lay thrown together, ready for the work.

I still am strong and stout;—do thou thy part, With Luke that evening thitherward he walked; I will do mine.-I will begin again And soon as they had reached the place he stopped, With many tasks that were resigned to thee; And thus the old man spake to him:-“ My son, Up to the heights, and in among the storms, To-morrow thou wilt leave me: with full heart Will I without thee go again, and do I look upon thee, for thou art the same

All works which I was wont to do alone, That wert a promise to me ere thy birth,

Before I knew thy face.-Heaven bless thee, boy! And all thy life hast been my daily joy.

Thy heart these two weeks has been beating fast I will relate to thee some little part

With many hopes—It should be so—Yes-yesOf our two histories; 'twill do thee good

I knew that thou couldst never have a wish
When thou art from me, even if I should speak To leave me, Luke: thou hast been bound to me
Of things thou canst not know of.--After thou Only by links of love: when thou art gone,
First cam'st into the world—as it befalls

What will be left to us !-But, I forget
To new-born infants—thou didst sleep away My purposes. Lay now the corner-stone,
Two days, and blessings from thy father's tongue As I requested; and hereafter, Luke,
Then fell upon thee. Day by day passed on, When thou art gone away, should evil men
And still I loved thee with increasing love.

Be thy companions, think of me, my son,
Never to living ear came sweeter sounds

And of this moment; hither turn thy thoughts, Than when I heard thee by our own fire-side And God will strengthen thee: amid all fear First uttering, without words, a natural tune; And all temptation, Luke, I pray that thou When thou, a feeding babe, didst in thy joy Mayst bear in mind the life thy fathers lived, Sing at thy mother's breast. Month followed month, Who, being innocent, did for that cause And in the open fields my life was passed

Bestir them in good deeds. Now, fare thee wellAnd on the mountains, else I think that thou When thou return'st, thou in this place wilt see Hadst been brought up upon thy father's knees. A work which is not here: a covenant But we were playmates, Luke: among these hills, 'Twill be between us- -But, whatever fate As well thou know'st, in us the old and young Befal thee, I shall love thee to the last, Have played together, nor with me didst thou And bear thy memory with me to the grave." Lack any pleasure which a boy can know."

The shepherd ended here; and Luke stooped Luke had a manly heart; but at these words And, as his father had requested, laid (down, He sobbed aloud. The old man grasped his hand, The first stone of the sheep-fold. At the sight And said, “ Nay, do not take it so I see

The old man's grief broke from him, to his heart That these are things of which I need not speak. He pressed his son, he kissed him and wept; -Even to the utmost I have been to thee

And to the house together they returned. A kind and a good father: and herein

-Hushed was that house in peace, or seeming peace, I but repay a gift which I myself

Ere the night fell:-with morrow's dawn the boy Received at other's hands; for, though now old Began his journey, and when he had reached Beyond the common life of man, I still

The public way, he put on a bold face; Remember them who loved me in my youth. And all the neighbours as he passed their doors Both of them sleep together: here they lived, Came forth with wishes and with farewell prayers, As all their forefathers had done; and when That followed him till he was out of sight. At length their time was come, they were not loth A good report did from their kinsman come, To give their bodies to the family mold.

Of Luke and his well-doing: and the boy I wished that thou shouldst live the life they lived. Wrote loving letters, full of wondrous news,