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30 Bald of brow as aged bear, Bloated uncouth form of air; More like images that scud Through our dreams, than flesh and blood; Shaped like stork on frozen pool, Thin as palmer, (wand’ring fool!) Long-shanked as a crane that feeds Greedily among the reeds; Like a black and shaven monk Is thy dark and spectral trunk, Or a corpse in winding-sheet.—

I have followed sure and fleet On thy steps—were I to tell But one half—thou knowest well

Thou may’st tell, and thou may’st scan, Pitcher-necked censorious man! Nought of me thou can’st disclose More than ev’ry neighbour knows; I have never falsely sworn In the Cwmwd court, or torn Lambs to death—have never thrown At the hens with pebble-stone; Never have the spectre play’d, To make little babes afraid; Never yet have terrified Stranger maid, or stranger’s bride!