Page:Poems by William Wordsworth (1815) Volume 1.djvu/277

217 With kind assurances that he would do

His utmost for the welfare of the Boy;

To which requests were added that forthwith

He might be sent to him. Ten times or more

The letter was read over; Isabel

Went forth to show it to the neighbours round;

Nor was there at that time on English Land

A prouder heart than Luke's. When Isabel

Had to her house returned, the Old Man said,

"He shall depart to-morrow." To this word

The Housewife answered, talking much of things

Which, if at such short notice he should go,

Would surely be forgotten. But at length

She gave consent, and Michael was at ease.

Near the tumultuous brook of Green-head Ghyll,

In that deep Valley, Michael had designed

To build a Sheep-fold; and, before he heard

The tidings of his melancholy loss,

For this same purpose he had gathered up

A heap of stones, which by the Streamlet's edge

Lay thrown together, ready for the work.

With Luke that evening thitherward he walked;