SELECTIONS IN ENGLISH POETRY
That heareth not the loud winds when they call ;
And moveth all together, if it move at all.
XII
At length, himself unsettling, he the pond
Stirred with his staff, and fixedly did look
Upon the muddy water, which he conned, So
. As if he had been reading in a book:
And now a stranger's privilege I took;
And, drawing to his side, to him did say,
4'This morning gives us promise of a glorious day."
XIII
A gentle answer did the old Alan make, S5>
In courteous speech which forth he slowly drew;
And him with further words I thus bespake,
"What occupation do you there pursue?
This is a lonesome place for one like you.'1
Ere he replied, a flash of mild surprise 90
Broke from the .sable orbs of his yet-vivid eyes.
XIV
His words came feebly, from a feeble chest,
But each in solemn order followed each,
With something of a lofty utterance drest—
Choice word and measured phrase, above the reach 95
Of ordinary men; a stately speech;
Such as grave Livers do in Scotland use,
Religious men, who give to God and man their dues.
*
XV
He told, that tQ these waters he had come
To gather leecKfes, being old and poor: i°°
88 *