Page:Poems by William Wordsworth (1815) Volume 1.djvu/101

41 VIII.

When he had learnt what thing it was,

That sent this rueful cry; I ween,

The Boy recovered heart, and told

The sight which he had seen.

Both gladly now deferred their task;

Nor was there wanting other aid—

A Poet, one who loves the brooks

Far better than the sages' books,

By chance had thither strayed;

And there the helpless Lamb he found

By those huge rocks encompassed round.

IX.

He drew it gently from the pool,

And brought it forth into the light:

The Shepherds met him with his Charge,

An unexpected sight!

Into their arms the Lamb they took,

Said they, "He's neither maimed nor scarred."

Then up the steep ascent they hied,

And placed him at his Mother's side;

And gently did the Bard

Those idle Shepherd-boys upbraid,

And bade them better mind their trade.