8. Who fancied what a pretty sight Who loved the little Rock, and set Was it the humour of a Child? Or rather of some love-sick Maid, Whose brows, the day that she was styled I ask'd-'twas whisper'd, The device That prompts such work, a Spirit strong, Where life is wise and innocent. 9. THE SPARROW's NEST. Look, five blue eggs are gleaming there! Few visions have I seen more fair, Nor many prospects of delight More pleasing than that simple sight! I started seeming to espy The home and shelter'd bed, The Sparrow's dwelling, which, hard by My Father's House, in wet or dry, My Sister Emmeline and I Together visited. She look'd at it as if she fear'd it; Still wishing, dreading to be near it: The Blessing of my later years She gave me eyes, she gave me ears; 10. GIPSIES. Yet are they here ?-the same unbroken knot Only their fire seems bolder, yielding light : Their bed of straw and blanket-walls. -Twelve hours, twelve bounteous hours, are gone while I Have been a Traveller under open sky, Much witnessing of change and chear, Yet as I left I find them here! |