Page:Lyrical ballads, Volume 2, Wordsworth, 1800.djvu/224

216 Did she bring forth, and all together sate

Like happy people round a Christmas fire.

Next morning Isabel resum'd her work,

And all the ensuing week the house appear'd

As cheerful as a grove in Spring: at length

The expected letter from their Kinsman came,

With kind assurances that he would do

His utmost for the welfare of the Boy,

To which requests were added that forthwith

He might be sent to him. Ten times or more

The letter was read over; Isabel

Went forth to shew it to the neighbours round:

Nor was there at that time on English Land

A prouder heart than Luke's. When Isabel

Had to her house return'd, the Old Man said,

"He shall depart to-morrow." To this word

The House-wife answered, talking much of things

Which, if at such short notice he should go,