Page:Lyrical ballads, Volume 2, Wordsworth, 1800.djvu/219

211 While this good household thus were living on

From day to day, to Michael's ear there came

Distressful tidings. Long before the time

Of which I speak, the Shepherd had been bound

In surety for his Brother's Son, a man

Of an industrious life, and ample means,

But unforeseen misfortunes suddenly

Had press'd upon him, and old Michael now

Was summon'd to discharge the forfeiture,

A grievous penalty, but little less

Than half his substance. This un-look'd for claim

At the first hearing, for a moment took

More hope out of his life than he supposed

That any old man ever could have lost.

As soon as he had gather'd so much strength

That he could look his trouble in the face,

It seem'd that his sole refuge was to sell

A portion of his patrimonial fields.

Such was his first resolve; he thought again,