CONTENTS. Lines written on a Tablet in a School The two April Mornings The Fountain, a Conversation Nutting Three years she grew in sun and shower The Pet-Lamb, a Pastoral HART-LEAP WELL. Hart-Leap Well is a small spring of water, about five miles from Richmond in Yorkshire, and near the side of the road which leads from Richmond to Askrigg. Its name is derived from a remarkable Chase, the memory of which is preserved by the monuments spoken of in the second Part of the following Poem, which monuments do now exist as I have there described them. The Knight had ridden down from Wensley moor And, "Bring another Horse!" he cried aloud. "Another Horse!"-That shout the Vassal heard, Joy sparkled in the prancing Courser's eyes; A rout this morning left Sir Walter's Hall, Sir Walter, restless as a veering wind, The Knight hallooed, he chid and cheered them on With suppliant gestures and upbraidings stern; But breath and eye-sight fail; and, one by one, The Dogs are stretched among the mountain fern. Where is the throng, the tumult of the race? The poor Hart toils along the mountain side; ; Dismounting then, he leaned against a thorn Close to the thorn on which Sir Walter leaned, And foaming like a mountain cataract. Upon his side the Hart was lying stretched: His nose half-touched a spring beneath a hill, And now, too happy for repose or rest, (Was never man in such a joyful case !) Sir Walter walked all round, north, south, and west, And gazed and gazed upon that darling place. And climbing up the hill-(it was at least Nine roods of sheer ascent) Sir Walter found Three several hoof-marks which the hunted Beast Had left imprinted on the verdant ground. Sir Walter wiped his face and cried, "Till now Such sight was never seen by living eyes : Three leaps have borne him from this lofty brow, Down to the very fountain where he lies. |