Page:Peter Bell (Wordsworth).djvu/62

46 Intent upon his faithful watch

The beast four days and nights had pass'd;

A sweeter meadow ne'er was seen,

And there the Ass four days had been,

Nor ever once did break his fast!

Yet firm his step, and stout his heart;

The mead is cross'd—the quarry's mouth

Is reach'd—but there the trusty guide

Into a thicket turns aside,

And takes his way towards the south.

When hark, a burst of doleful sound!

And Peter honestly might say,

The like came never to his ears

Though he has been full thirty years

A rover night and day!