Page:Lyrical ballads, Volume 2, Wordsworth, 1800.djvu/228

220 Than half of my inheritance was mine.

I toil'd and toil'd; God bless'd me in my work,

And 'till these three weeks past the land was free.

—It looks as if it never could endure

Another Master. Heaven forgive me, Luke,

If I judge ill for thee, but it seems good

That thou should'st go." At this the Old Man paus'd,

Then, pointing to the Stones near which they stood,

Thus, after a short silence, he resum'd:

"This was a work for us, and now, my Son,

It is a work for me. But, lay one Stone—

Here, lay it for me, Luke, with thine own hands.

I for the purpose brought thee to this place.

Nay, Boy, be of good hope:—we both may live

To see a better day. At eighty-four

I still am strong and stout;—do thou thy part,

I will do mine.—I will begin again

With many tasks that were resign'd to thee;

Up to the heights, and in among the storms,