And once, behind a rick of barley, Thus looking out did Harry stand: The moon was full and shining clearly, And crisp with frost the stubble land. He hears a noise-he's all awakeAgain ?—on tip-toe down the hill He softly creeps-'Tis Goody Blake, She's at the hedge of Harry Gill. Right glad was he when he beheld her : Stick after stick did Goody pull : He stood behind a bush of elder, Till she had filled her apron full. And fiercely by the arm he took her, And fiercely by the arm he shook her, And cried, "I've caught you then at last!" Then Goody, who had nothing said, Her bundle from her lap let fall; And, kneeling on the sticks, she pray'd She pray'd, her wither'd hand uprearing, The cold, cold moon above her head, And icy cold he turned away. He went complaining all the morrow That he was cold and very chill: His face was gloom, his heart was sorrow, Alas! that day for Harry Gill! That day he wore a riding-coat, But not a whit the warmer he : 'Twas all in vain, a useless matter, Like a loose casement in the wind. And all who see him say, 'tis plain, No word to any man he utters, THE LAST OF THE FLOCK. In distant countries I have been, |