THE IDLE SHEPHERD-BOYS. 43 THE IDLE SHEPHERD-BOYS; OR, DUN GEON-GHYLL FORCE.* A PASTORAL. I. THE valley rings with mirth and joy; The magpie chatters with delight; II. Beneath a rock, upon the grass, Its seems they have no work to do, Or that their work is done. Ghyll, in the dialect of Cumberland and Westmoreland, is a short, and, for the most part, a steep narrow valley, with a stream running through it. Force is the word universally employed in these dialects for waterfall. On pipes of sycamore they play And thus, as happy as the day, Those shepherds wear the time away. III. Along the river's stony marge The sand-lark chants a joyous song; A thousand lambs are on the rocks, That plaintive cry! which up the hill Comes from the depths of Dungeon-Ghyll. IV. Said Walter, leaping from the ground, -Away the shepherds flew. They leapt they ran-and when they came Seeing that he should lose the prize, V. "Now cross where I shall cross- come on, 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. K VI. 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- A lamb, that in the pool is pent VII. The lamb had slipped into the stream, His dam had seen him when he fell, Send forth a cry forlorn, The lamb, still swimming round and round, Made answer to that plaintive sound. VIII. When he had learnt what thing it was, The boy recovered heart, and told The sight which he had seen. Both gladly now deferred their task; THE IDLE SHEPHERD-BOYS. Nor was there wanting other aid,— And there the helpless lamb he found By those huge rocks encompassed 'round. IX. 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, 66 Said they, He's neither maimed nor scared." 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. WORDSWORTH. 47. |