Page:The Recluse, Wordsworth, 1888.djvu/47

Rh From my own door I shall be free to claim

Acquaintance, as they sweep from cloud to cloud.

The owl that gives the name to Owlet-Crag

Have I heard whooping, and he soon will be

A chosen one of my regards. See there

The heifer in yon little croft belongs

To one who holds it dear; with duteous care

She reared it, and in speaking of her charge

I heard her scatter some endearing words

Domestic, and in spirit motherly,

She being herself a mother; happy Beast,

If the caresses of a human voice

Can make it so, and care of human hands.

And ye as happy under Nature's care,

Strangers to me and all men, or at least

Strangers to all particular amity,