Nay-if a child to her was born No earthly tongue could ever tell ;3 Far less could this with proof be said;4 That Martha Ray about this time Would up the mountain often climb. XV. And all that winter, when at night For many a time and oft were heard Cries coming from the mountain head: I cannot think, whate'er they say, XVI. But that she goes to this old Thorn, I will be sworn is true. For one day with my telescope, XVII. 'Twas mist and rain, and storm and rain: No screen, no fence could I discover; And then the wind in sooth, it was A wind full ten times over. I looked around, I thought I saw A jutting crag, and off I ran, Instead of jutting crag, I found XVIII. I did not speak-I saw her face; And there she sits, until the moon Through half the clear blue sky will go; And, when the little breezes make The waters of the pond to shake, As all the country know, She shudders, and you hear her cry, 'Oh misery! oh misery!"" XIX. "But what's the Thorn? and what the pond? And what the hill of moss to her? And what the creeping breeze that comes The little pond to stir ?" I cannot tell; but some will say She hanged her baby on the tree: The little Babe was buried there, Beneath that hill of moss so fair. XX. I've heard, the moss is spotted red 1 But kill a new-born infant thus, I do not think she could! Some say, if to the pond you go, Whene'er you look on it, 'tis plain 1 1800. I've heard the scarlet moss is red 1798. XXI. And some had sworn an oath that she The little Babe lies buried there, Beneath that hill of moss so fair. XXII. I cannot tell how this may be, And this I know, full many a time, By day, and in the silent night, When all the stars shone clear and bright That I have heard her cry, 'Oh misery! oh misery! Oh woe is me! oh misery!"" GOODY BLAKE AND HARRY GILL. A TRUE STORY. Comp. 1798. Pub. 1798. [Written at Alfoxden. The incident from Dr Darwin's "Zoönomia."] See "Zoönomia," Vol. IV., pp. 68-9, ed. 1801. It is the story of a man named Tullis, narrated by an Italian, Signor L. Storgosi, in a work called "Il Narratoro Italiano."-ED. OH! what's the matter? what's the matter? In March, December, and in July, Young Harry was a lusty drover, |