And proud she was of heart, when clad To Kirk he on the sabbath day Went hand in hand with her. A Dog, too, had he; not for need, And then the bagpipes he could blow; And thus from house to house would go, And all were pleased to hear and see; For none made sweeter melody Than did the poor blind Boy. Yet he had many a restless dream; Near which their Cottage stood. Beside a lake their Cottage stood, That, rough or smooth, is full of change, For to this Lake, by night and day, The great Sea-water finds its way Through long, long windings of the hills; And drinks up all the pretty rills And rivers large and strong: Then hurries back the road it came As long as earth shall last. And with the coming of the Tide, Come Boats and Ships that safely ride, Between the woods and lofty rocks; And to the Shepherds with their flocks Bring tales of distant Lands. And of those tales, whate'er they were, Yet more it pleased him, more it stirred, The bustle of the mariners In stillness or in storm. But what do his desires avail? For He must never handle sail; Nor mount the mast, nor row, nor float In Sailor's ship, or Fisher's boat Upon the rocking waves. His Mother often thought, and said, Thus lived he by Loch Leven's side Till he was ten years old. When one day (and now mark me well, On the swift flood is hurrying down In such a vessel never more May human Creature leave the shore! Woe to the poor blind Mariner! For death will be his doom. But say what bears him?-Ye have seen Gifts which, for wonder or delight, Are brought in ships from far. Such gifts had those seafaring men Spread round that Haven in the glen; The rarest was a Turtle Shell Which he, poor Child, had studied well; That sportive Dolphins drew. And, as a Coracle that braves On Vaga's breast the fretful waves, And gaily lift its fearless brim Above the tossing surge. And this the little blind Boy knew: |