Page:Poems by William Wordsworth (1815) Volume 1.djvu/93

33 'Twas little Barbara Lewthwaite, a Child of beauty rare!

1 watched them with delight, they were a lovely pair.

Now with her empty Can the Maiden turned away;

But ere ten yards were gone her footsteps did she stay.

Towards the Lamb she looked; and from that shady place

I unobserved could see the workings of her face:

If Nature to her tongue could measured numbers bring,

Thus, thought I, to her Lamb that little Maid might sing

"What ails thee, Young One? What? Why pull so at thy cord?

Is it not well with thee? Well both for bed and board?

Thy plot of grass is soft, and green as grass can be;

Rest, little Young One, rest; what is't that aileth thee?

"What is it thou wouldst seek? What is wanting to thy heart?

Thy limbs are they not strong? And beautiful thou art:

This grass is tender grass; these flowers they have no peers;

And that green corn all day is rustling in thy ears!