THE IDLE SHEPHERD-BOYS; OR, DUNGEON GET FORCE 38 A PASTORAL THE Valley rings with mirth and joy; The magpie chatters with delight; Beneath a rock, upon the grass, Two Boys are sitting in the sun ; On pipes of sycamore they play And thus, as happy as the day, Those Shepherds wear the time away. Along the river's stony marge The thrush is busy in the wood, A thousand lambs are on the rocks, Said Walter, leaping from the ground, "Down to the stump of yon old yew We'll for our whistles run a race." -Away the Shepherds flow. They leapt they ran-and when they came T will keep you working half a year. "Now cross where I shall cross-come off, And follow me where I shall lead ” The other took him at his word ; But did not like the deed. It was a spot, which you may see If ever you to Langdale go: Into a chasm a mighty block Hath fallen, and made a bridge of rock : The gulf is deep below; And in a basin black and small Receives a lofty waterfall. With staff in hand across the cleft The challenger began his march; And now, all eyes and feet, hath gained The middle of the arch. When list! he hears a piteous moan- The lamb had slipped into the stream, The cataract had borne him down His dam had seen him when he fell, The lamb, still swimming round and round, When he had learnt what thing it was, Both gladly now deferred their task; He drew it gently from the pool, And brought it forth into the light: The Shepherds met him with his charge, An unexpected sight! Into their arms the lamb they took, Said they, "He's neither maimed nor scarred." Then up the steep ascent they hied, And placed him at his mother's side; Those idle Shepherd-boys upbraid, And bade them better mind their trade. ROB ROY'S GRAVE A FAMOUS man is Robin Hood, She has her brave Rob Roy! Then clear the weeds from off his Grave, And let us chant a passing stave In honour of that Hero brave! Heaven gave Rob Roy a dauntless heart, Nor craved he more to quell his foes, Yet was Rob Roy as wise as brave; A Poet worthy of Rob Roy Must scorn a timid song. Say, then, that he was as wise as brave; He sought his moral creed. Said generous Rob, "What need of books? Burn all the statutes and their shelves; They stir us up against our kind; And worse, against ourselves. |