Page:Landon in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book 1835.pdf/82

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" as they were going along, and talking, they spied a boy feeding his father's sheep. The boy was in very mean clothes, but of a fresh and well-favoured countenance; and as he sat by himself, he sung. Then said the guide, Do you hear him? I will dare to say, this boy lives a merrier life, and wears more of the herb called heart's-ease in his bosom, than he that is clad in silk and velvet." [Pilgrim's Progress.]

some vision olden Of far other time, When the age was golden, In the young world's prime Is thy soft pipe ringing, O lonely shepherd boy, What song art thou singing, In thy youth and joy?

Or art thou complaining Of thy lowly lot, And thine own disdaining Dost ask what thou hast not? Of the future dreaming, Weary of the past, For the present scheming, All but what thou hast.

No, thou art delighting In thy summer home; Where the flowers inviting Tempt the bee to roam; Where the cowslip bending, With its golden bells, Of each glad hour's ending With a sweet chime tells.

All wild creatures love him When he is alone, Every bird above him Sings its softest tone. Thankful to high Heaven, Humble in thy joy, Much to thee is given, Lowly shepherd boy.