Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/410

384 And female care.—"A blessed lot is yours!"

He said, and with that exclamation breathed

A tender sigh;—but, suddenly the door

Opening, with eager haste two lusty Boys

Appeared,—confusion checking their delight.

—Not Brothers they in feature or attire,

But fond Companions, so I guessed, in field,

And by the river-side—from which they come,

A pair of Anglers, laden with their spoil.

One bears a willow-pannier on his back,

The Boy of plainer garb, and more abashed

In countenance,—more distant and retired.

Twin might the Other be to that fair Girl

Who bounded tow'rds us from the garden mount.

Triumphant entry this to him!—for see,

Between his hands he holds a smooth blue stone,

On whose capacious surface is outspread

Large store of gleaming crimson-spotted trouts;

Ranged side by side, in regular ascent,

One after one, still lessening by degrees

Up to the dwarf that tops the pinnacle.

Upon the Board he lays the sky-blue stone

With its rich spoil;—their number he proclaims;