Were things indifferent to the Shepherd's Their labor did not cease; unless when thoughts.

And gave it to the boy; wherewith That any old man ever could have lost. 220 As soon as he had armed himself with

equipped

195

Against the mountain blasts; and to the Should pass into a stranger's hand, I think
heights,
That I could not lie quiet in my grave.
Not fearing toil, nor length of weary ways, Our lot is a hard lot; the sun himself
He with his father daily went, and they Has scarcely been more diligent than I;
Were as companions, why should I relate And I have lived to be a fool at last
That objects which the Shepherd loved To my own family. An evil man
before
That was, and made an evil choice, if he
Were false to us; and if he were not false,
There are ten thousand to whom loss like

Were dearer now? that from the boy there

came

200

235

Had been no sorrow. I forgive him—but 'T were better to be dumb, than to talk thus.

241

When I began, my purpose was to speak
Of remedies and of a cheerful hope.
Our Luke shall leave us, Isabel; the land
Shall not go from us, and it shall be free;
He shall possess it free as is the wind
That passes over it. We have, thou
know'st,

246

Another kinsman-he will be our friend
In this distress. He is a prosperous man,
Thriving in trade-and Luke to him shall

250

go,
And with his kinsman's help and his own
thrift

He quickly will repair
He may return to us.
What can be done?

poor,

What can be gained?"

this loss, and then If here he stay, Where every one is

255

At this the old man paused,
And Isabel sat silent, for her mind
Was busy, looking back into past times.
There's Richard Bateman, thought she to

herself,

He was a parish-boy-at the church-door

These thoughts, and many others of like Like happy people round a Christmas fire.