XXIV. FIDELITY. A BARKING Sound the Shepherd hears, A cry as of a Dog or Fox; He halts, and searches with his eyes Among the scattered rocks: And now at distance can discern A stirring in a brake of fern; And instantly a Dog is seen, The Dog is not of mountain breed; Its motions, too, are wild and shy; Nor is there any one in sight All round, in Hollow or on Height; It was a Cove, a huge Recess, That keeps till June December's snow A silent Tarn* below! Far in the bosom of Helvellyn, Remote from public Road or Dwelling, Pathway, or cultivated land; From trace of human foot or hand. There, sometimes does a leaping Fish Thither the Rainbow comes-the Cloud And Mists that spread the flying shroud; But that enormous Barrier binds it fast. * Tarn is a small Mere or Lake mostly high up in the mountains. Not free from boding thoughts, awhile Nor far had gone before he found From those abrupt and perilous rocks He instantly recalled the Name, And who he was, and whence he came; On which the Traveller passed this way. But hear a wonder, for whose sake This lamentable Tale I tell! A lasting monument of words This wonder merits well. The Dog, which still was hovering nigh, Repeating the same timid cry, This Dog had been through three months' space A Dweller in that savage place. Yes, proof was plain that since the day On which the Traveller thus had died The Dog had watched about the spot, How nourished here through such long time XXV. ODE TO DUTY. STERN Daughter of the Voice of God! When empty terrors overawe; From vain temptations dost set free; And calm'st the weary strife of frail humanity! There are who ask not if thine eye Be on them; who, in love and truth, Where no misgiving is, rely Upon the genial sense of youth: Glad Hearts! without reproach or blot; May joy be theirs while life shall last! And Thou, if they should totter, teach them to stand fast! |