The Wild Swans at Coole
Shepherd

Shepherd

 Sing, for it may be that your thoughts have plucked Some medicable herb to make our grief Less bitter. [36]

[36]

Goatherd

Goatherd

 They have brought me from that ridge Seed pods and flowers that are not all wild poppy.

They have brought me from that ridge

 [Sings.

 'He grows younger every second That were all his birthdays reckoned Much too solemn seemed; Because of what he had dreamed, Or the ambitions that he served, Much too solemn and reserved. Jaunting, journeying To his own dayspring, He unpacks the loaded pern Of all 'twas pain or joy to learn, Of all that he had made. The outrageous war shall fade; At some old winding whitethorn root He'll practice on the shepherd's flute, Or on the close-cropped grass [37]Court his shepherd lass, Or run where lads reform our day-time Till that is their long shouting play-time; Knowledge he shall unwind Through victories of the mind, Till, clambering at the cradle side, He dreams himself his mother's pride, All knowledge lost in trance Of sweeter ignorance.'

[37]

Shepherd

Shepherd

 When I have shut these ewes and this old ram Into the fold, we'll to the woods and there Cut out our rhymes on strips of new-torn bark But put no name and leave them at her door. [38]To know the mountain and the valley grieve May be a quiet thought to wife and mother, And children when they spring up shoulder high. [39]

[38]

[39]

LINES WRITTEN IN DEJECTION

When have I last looked on


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