Page:Poems by William Wordsworth (1815) Volume 2.djvu/48

40 "But wherefore to the mountain-top

Can this unhappy Woman go,

Whatever star is in the skies,

Whatever wind may blow?"

"Nay, rack your brain—'tis all in vain,

I'll tell you every thing I know;

But to the Thorn, and to the Pond

Which is a little step beyond,

I wish that you would go:

Perhaps, when you are at the place,

You something of her tale may trace.

I'll give you the best help I can:

Before you up the mountain go,

Up to the dreary mountain-top,

I'll tell you all I know.

'Tis now some two-and-twenty years

Since she (her name is Martha Ray)

Gave, with a maiden's true good will,

Her company to Stephen Hill;

And she was blithe and gay,

And she was happy, happy still

Whene'er she thought of Stephen Hill.