THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, VOL. 8 (Completed)

THE WESTMORELAND GIRL [290]

TO MY GRANDCHILDREN

Composed June 6, 1845.--Published 1845

One of the "Poems referring to the Period of Childhood."--ED.

PART I

Seek who will delight in fable I shall tell you truth.

A Lamb Leapt from this steep bank to follow

'Cross the brook its thoughtless dam.[291]

Far and wide on hill and valley

Rain had fallen, unceasing rain,

And the bleating mother's Young-one

Struggled with the flood in vain:

But, as chanced, a Cottage-maiden

(Ten years scarcely had she told)

Seeing, plunged into the torrent,

Clasped the Lamb and kept her hold.

Whirled adown the rocky channel,

Sinking, rising, on they go,

Peace and rest, as seems, before them

Only in the lake below. Oh! it was a frightful current

Whose fierce wrath the Girl had braved;

Clap your hands with joy my Hearers,

Shout in triumph, both are saved;

Saved by courage that with danger

Grew, by strength the gift of love,

And belike a guardian angel

Came with succour from above.

PART II

Now, to a maturer Audience,

Let me speak of this brave Child

Left among her native mountains

With wild Nature to run wild.

So, unwatched by love maternal,

Mother's care no more her guide,

Fared this little bright-eyed Orphan

Even while at her father's side.

Spare your blame,--remembrance makes him

Loth to rule by strict command;

Still upon his cheek are living

Touches of her infant hand,

Dear caresses given in pity,

Sympathy that soothed his grief,

As the dying mother witnessed

To her thankful mind's relief.

Time passed on; the Child was happy,

Like a Spirit of air she moved,

Wayward, yet by all who knew her

For her tender heart beloved.

Scarcely less than sacred passions,