Page:Peter Bell (Wordsworth).djvu/46

30 But first doth Peter deem it fit

To spy about him far and near;

There's not a single house in sight,

No woodman's hut, no cottage light—

Peter you need not fear!

There's nothing to be seen but woods

And rocks that spread a hoary gleam,

And this one beast that from the bed

Of the green meadow hangs his head

Over the silent stream.

His head is with a halter bound;

The halter seizing, Peter leapt

Upon the Ass's back, and plied

With ready heel the creature's side;

But still the Ass his station kept.