THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH - VOL 1 (Completed)

THE LAST OF THE FLOCK

Composed 1798.--Published 1798.

[Produced at the same time as 'The Complaint', and for the same purpose. The incident occurred in the village of Holford, close by Alfoxden.--I. F.]

Included among the "Poems founded on the Affections."--Ed.

* * * * *

THE POEM

I

In distant countries have I been, [1]

And yet I have not often seen

A healthy man, a man full grown,

Weep in the public roads, alone.

But such a one, on English ground,

And in the broad highway, I met;

Along the broad highway he came,

His cheeks with tears were wet:

Sturdy he seemed, though he was sad;

And in his arms a Lamb he had.

II

He saw me, and he turned aside,

As if he wished himself to hide:

And with his coat did then essay [2]

To wipe those briny tears away.

I followed him, and said, "My friend,

What ails you? wherefore weep you so?"

--"Shame on me, Sir! this lusty Lamb,

He makes my tears to flow.

To-day I fetched him from the rock:

He is the last of all my flock.

III