IV. Nor can I not believe but that hereby INCIDENT CHARACTERISTIC OF A FAVOURITE DOG. On his morning rounds the Master + Four dogs, each pair of different breed, Distinguished two for scent, and two for speed. * Such writing as these four sonnets contain may well justify the praise which even the most enthusiastic admirers of Wordsworth have uttered. -ED. †The dog belonged to Mr. Th. Hutchinson, Mrs. Wordsworth's brother. See a hare before him started! And the hare whom they pursue, Deep the river was, and crusted She hath crost, and without heed When, lo! the ice, so thinly spread, Breaks-and the greyhound, DART, is over-head! Better fate have PRINCE and SWALLOW See them cleaving to the sport! MUSIC has no heart to follow, Little MUSIC, she stops short. Hers is now another part : A loving creature she, and brave! And fondly strives her struggling friend to save. From the brink her paws she stretches, Very hands as you would say! * Hath an instinct what to do.-Edit. 1815. For herself she hath no fears,— Him alone she sees and hears,— Makes efforts with complainings; nor gives o'er 1805. TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF THE SAME DOG. LIE here, without a record of thy worth,t Or want of love, that here no Stone we raise; Yet they to whom thy virtues made thee dear We grieved for thee, and wished thy end were past ; ‡ And willingly have laid thee here at last : For thou hadst lived till every thing that cheers Until her fellow sunk, and re-appeared no more.-Edit. 1815. Lie here sequestered :-be this little mound For ever thine, and be it holy ground; Lie here without a record of thy worth, Beneath the covering of the common Earth.-Edit. 1815. I prayed for thee, and that thy end were past.-Edit. 1815. Thy ears were deaf, and feeble were thy knees,— It came, and we were glad; yet tears were shed; * Old household thoughts, in which thou hadst thy share ; 1805. 44 THE FORCE OF PRAYER; OR, THE FOUNDING OF BOLTON PRIORY. A TRADITION. What is good for a bootless bene?” With these dark words begins my Tale ; And their meaning is, whence can comfort spring *For love that comes to all; the holy sense, Best gift of God, in thee was most intense.-Edit. 1815. "What is good for a bootless bene?" And she made answer 66 ENDLESS SORROW!" She knew it by the Falconer's words, -Young Romilly through Barden woods And holds a greyhound in a leash, The pair have reached that fearful chasm, How tempting to bestride! For lordly Wharf is there pent in With rocks on either side. This striding-place is called THE STRID, A name which it took of yore: A thousand years hath it borne that name, And hither is young Romilly come, And what may now forbid That he, perhaps for the hundredth time, Shall bound across THE STRID? He sprang in glee,-for what cared he That the river was strong, and the rocks were steep?— But the greyhound in the leash hung back, And checked him in his leap. |