56 CHRISTMAS TIMES. CHRISTMAS TIMES. - Howard. 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer! now, Vixen ! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Dunder and Blixen! THE PET LAMB. 57 And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof soot; A bundle of toys was flung on his back, And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack. His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. THE PET LAMB. Wordsworth. THE dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink; I heard a voice; it said, "Drink, pretty creature, drink." 58 THE PET LAMB. And, looking o'er the hedge, before me I espied A snow-white mountain lamb, with a maiden at its side. No other sheep were near, the lamb was all alone, While to that mountain lamb she gave its evening meal. The lamb, while from her hand he thus his supper took, Seemed to feast with head and ears, and his tail with pleasure shook; "Drink, pretty creature, drink," she said, in such a tone, That I almost received her heart into my own. 'Twas little Barbara Lethwaite, a child of beauty rare! I watched them with delight, they were a lovely pair. Now with her empty can the maiden turned away; But ere ten yards were gone, her footsteps she did stay. Towards the lamb she looked; and from that shady place I unobserved could see the workings of her face; If nature to her tongue could measured numbers bring, Thus, thought I, to her lamb that little maid might sing: THE PET LAMB. 59 "What ails thee, young one? what? why pull so at thy cord? Is it not well with thee? well both for bed and board? Thy plot of grass is soft, and green as grass can be ; Rest, little, young one, rest; what is 't that aileth thee? "What is it thou wouldst seek? what is wanting to thy heart? Thy limbs are they not strong? and beautiful thou art. This grass is tender grass; these flowers they have no peers, And that green corn all day long is rustling in thy ears! "If the sun be shining hot, do but stretch thy woollen chain, This birch is standing by, its covert thou canst gain; For rain and mountain storms the like thou need'st not fear The rain and storm are things that scarcely can come here. "Rest, little, young one, rest; thou hast forgot the day When my father found thee first, in places far away; Many flocks were on the hills, but thou wert owned by none, And thy mother from thy side forevermore was gone. "He took thee in his arms, and in pity brought thee home; O blessed day for thee! then whither wouldst thou roam ? 60 THE PET LAMB. A faithful nurse thou hast, the dam that did thee yean Upon the mountain-tops no kinder could have been. "Thou knowest that twice a day I have brought thee in this can Fresh water from the brook, as clear as ever ran; And twice in the day, when the ground is wet with dew, I bring thee draughts of milk, warm milk it is, and new. "Thy limbs will shortly be twice as stout as they are now; Then I'll yoke thee to my cart, like a pony in the plough; My playmate thou shalt be; and when the wind is cold Our hearth shall be thy bed, our house shall be thy fold. "Alas! the mountain-tops that look so green and fair, I've heard of fearful winds and darkness that come there; The little brooks that seem all pastime and all play, When they are angry roar like lions for their prey. "Here thou need'st not dread the raven in the sky; Night and day thou art safe-our cottage is hard by. Why bleat so after me? why pull so at thy chain? Sleep-and at break of day I will come to thee again." As homeward through the lane I went, with lazy feet, This song to myself did I oftentimes repeat; |