Page:Wessex poems and other verses (IA wessexpoemsother00hard).pdf/219

 Meantime his schoolmate had gone out To join the fortune-finding rout; He liked the winnings of the mart, But wearied of the working part.

He turned to seek a privy lair, Neglecting note of garb and hair, And day by day reclined and thought How he might live by doing nought.

"I plan a valued scheme," he said To some. "But lend me of your bread, And when the vast result looms nigh, In profit you shall stand as I."

Yet they took counsel to restrain Their kindness till they saw the gain; And, since his substance now had run, He rose to do what might be done.

He went unto his Love by night. And said: "My Love, I faint in fight: Deserving as thou dost a crown. My cares shall never drag thee down."