Page:Peter Bell (Wordsworth).djvu/76

60 I've play'd and danc'd with my narration—

I loiter'd long ere I began;

Ye waited then on my good pleasure,—

Pour out indulgence still, in measure

As liberal as ye can!

Our travellers, ye remember well,

Are thridding a sequester'd lane;

And Peter many tricks is trying,

And many anodynes applying,

To ease his conscience of its pain.

By this his heart is lighter far;

And, finding that he can account

So clearly for that crimson stain,

His evil spirit up again

Does like an empty bucket mount.