IV. "Here to the houseless child of want My door is open still; And though my portion is but scant, I give it with good will. V. "Then turn to-night, and freely share Whate'er my cell bestows; My blessing and repose. VI. "No flocks that range the valley free, Taught by that Power that pities me, I learn to pity them : VII. "But from the mountain's grassy side A scrip with herbs and fruits supplied, VIII. "Then, pilgrim, turn; thy cares forego; All earth-born cares are wrong: 'Man wants but little here below, Nor wants that little long.'” (1) (1) [Goldsmith has been charged with here appropriating to himself, without acknowledgment, a line of Young "Man wants but little, nor that little long :" but in the original copy the passage was given in the usual manner of quotations; and this has now been restored accordingly.] IX. Soft as the dew from Heaven descends, His gentle accents fell : The modest stranger lowly bends, And follows to the cell. X. Far in a wilderness obscure XI. No stores beneath its humble thatch Requir'd a master's care; The wicket, opening with a latch, (2) XII. And now, when busy crowds retire XIII. And spread his vegetable store, (1) ["Far shelter'd in a glade obscure (2) ["The door just opening with a latch."-Ibid.] (3) ["And now, when worldly crowds retire 37 XIV. Around in sympathetic mirth XV. But nothing could a charm impart XVI. His rising cares the Hermit spy'd, With answ'ring care opprest: "And whence, unhappy youth," he cry'd, "The sorrows of thy breast? XVII. "From better habitations spurn'd, Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd, XVIII. "Alas! the joys that fortune brings Are trifling, and decay ; And those who prize the trifling things, More trifling still than they. (1) ["But nothing mirthful could assuage And tears would often flow."-First edit.] XIX. “And what is friendship but a name; A shade that follows wealth or fame, XX. “And love is still an emptier sound, XXI. "For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush, And spurn the sex," he said; But while he spoke, a rising blush XXII. Surpriz'd he sees new beauties rise, XXIII. The bashful look, the rising breast, (3) The lovely stranger stands confest, (1) ["The bashful guest betray'd."-First edit.] (2) ["He sees unnumber'd beauties rise, Expanding to the view; Like clouds that deck the morning skies, As bright, as transient too."-.Ibid.] (3) ["Her looks, her lips, her panting breast," &c.-Ibid.] THE HERMIT. XXIV. "And, ah! forgive a stranger rude, A wretch forlorn," she cried; "Whose feet unhallow'd thus intrude 66 XXVI. My father liv'd beside the Tyne, A wealthy lord was he; And all his wealth was mark'd as mine; He had but only me. XXVII. "To win me from his tender arms, Unnumber'd suitors came; Who prais'd me for imputed charms, (1) ["Forgive, and let thy pious care That seeks repose, but finds despair "My father liv'd, of high degree, And as he had but only me, Whate'er he had was mine. "To win me from his tender arms, Unnumber'd suitors came; Their chief pretence my flatter'd charms, My wealth perhaps their aim."-First edit.] |