There, twisted between nave and spoke,
It hung, nor could at once be freed ;
But our joint pains unloosed the cloak,
A miserable rag indeed !

And whither are you going, child,
'To-night, along these lonesome ways?'
To Durham,' answer'd she, half wild—
'Then come with me into the chaise.'

Insensible to all relief

Sat the poor girl, and forth did send
Sob after sob, as if her grief

30

35

Could never, never have an end.

'My child, in Durham do you dwell?'

40

She check'd 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 tatter'd cloak.

45

The chaise drove on; our journey's end

Was nigh; and, sitting by my side,

50

As if she had lost her only friend,

'As warm a cloak as man can sell!' -Proud creature was she the next day, The little orphan, Alice Fell!

60

W. Wordsworth

52 pacified, quieted 57 duffil, strong shaggy cloth

* 9*

THE LITTLE GIRL LOST

IN the southern clime,

Where the summer's prime
Never fades away,

Lovely Lyca lay.

Seven summers old
Lovely Lyca told;

She had wander'd long,
Hearing wild-birds' song.
'Sweet sleep, come to me
'Underneath this tree!
'Do father, mother, weep?
'Where can Lyca sleep?
'Lost in desert wild
'Is your little child !
'How can Lyca sleep
'If her mother weep?
'If her heart does ache
'Then let Lyca wake :-
'If my mother sleep,
'Lyca shall not weep.

'Frowning, frowning, night
'O'er this desert bright,
'Let thy moon arise
'While I close my eyes!'
Sleeping Lyca lay :
While the beasts of prey
Come from caverns deep,
View'd the maid asleep.

5

ΤΟ

15

20

25

The kingly lion stood,

And the virgin view'd :

Then he gamboll'd round
O'er the hallow'd ground,

30

To this day they dwell
In a lonely dell;

Nor fear the wolvish howl,

Nor the lions' growl.

W. Blake

50

* IO *

JOHN GILPIN

JOHN Gilpin was a citizen
Of credit and renown,

A train-band captain eke was he
Of famous London Town.

John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, 'Though wedded we have been

'These twice ten tedious years, yet we 'No holiday have seen.

'To-morrow is our wedding-day,

'And we will then repair 'Unto the Bell at Edmonton, 'All in a chaise and pair.

'My sister and my sister's child, 'Myself, and children three,

5

IO

'Will fill the chaise; so you must ride

15

'On horseback after we.'

He soon replied, 'I do admire

'Of womankind but one,

And you are she, my dearest dear,

6 Therefore it shall be done.

3 train-band, militia

20