Gambar halaman
PDF
ePub

Soe I told him 'twas an irregular twostoried Tenement, parcel Wood, parcel Brick, with a deep Roof of old Tiles that had lost their Colour, and were curiouslie variegated with green and yellow Moss and that the Eaves were dentilled, with Birds' Nests built in 'em, and a big Honeysuckle growing to the upper Floor; and there was a great and a little Gable, and a heavy Chimney-stack; a Casement of four Compartments next the Door, and another of two over it; four Latticewindows at t'other End. In Front, a steep Meadow, enamelled with Kingcups and Blue-bells; alongside the Gableend, a Village Road, with deep Cart-ruts, and Hawthorn Hedges. Onlie one small Dwelling at hand, little better than a crazy Haystack; Sheep in the Field, Bees in the Honeysuckle; and a little rippling Rivulet flowing on continually.

66

Why, now you have sett me quite "at Ease!" cries he, turning his bright Eyes thankfully towards the Sky. "I "begin to like the Place, and to bless

"the

Ha! so

"the warm Sun and pure Air.

"there is a rippling Rivulet, that floweth

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][graphic]

..

66

getting that I could still hear the Lark

sing her Morning Hymn, scent the Meadow-sweet and new-mown Hay, "detect the Bee at his Industry, and the

[ocr errors][merged small]
[ocr errors]

Woodpecker at his Mischief, discern "the Breath of Cows, and hear the "Lambs bleat, and the Rivulet ripple "continually! Come! Let us go and "seek Ned."

And, throwing his Arm about me, draws me to him, saying, “This is my "best Walking-stick," and steps forward briskly and fearlessly.

Truly, I think Ned loves him as though he were his own Father; and, indeed, he hath scarce known any other. Kissing his Hand reverently, he says,-" Honoured Nunks, how fares it with you? Do you "like Chalfont?"

66

"Indeed I do, Ned," responds Father heartily. ""Tis a little Zoar, whither I "and my fugitive Family have escaped "from the wicked City; and, I thank 'God, my Wife has no Mind to look "back."

66

"We may as well go in now," says

Mother.

"No, no," says Father; "I feel there "is an Hour of Summer's Sunset still

[blocks in formation]

" left.

66

We will abide where we are, and

keep as long as we can out of the Smell

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

"And tell strange Stories of the Deaths "of Kings," says Ned, laughing.

"That was the Saying, Ned, of one "who writ much well, and much amiss." "Let's forgive what he writ amiss, for "the Sake of what he writ well," says Ned.

[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

says Father. "If

“That will I never," says paltry Wits cannot be holy and witty

at the same Time, that does not hold

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

"did, they had best never be witty at all.

66

66

66

Thy Brother Jack hath yet to learn that Strength is not Coarseness."

Ned softly hummed—

"Sweetest Shakspeare, Fancy's Child!"

"Ah! you may quote me against myself," says Father; "you may quote "Beza against Beza, and Erasmus against "Erasmus; but that will not shake the "eternal

"eternal Laws of Purity and Truth. But, "mind you, Ned, never did anie reach a

[ocr errors]

more lofty or tragic Height than this "Child of Fancy; never did any repre"sent Nature more purely to the Life; "and e'en where the Polishments of Art are most wanting in him, he pleaseth "with a certain wild and native Elegance."

66

[ocr errors]

"And what have you now in Hand, "Uncle?" Ned asks.

"Firmianus Chlorus," says Father. "But "I don't find Much in him."

66

"I mean, what of your own?"

"Oh!" laughing; "Things in Heaven, Ned, and Things on Earth, and Things "under the Earth. The old Story, "whereof you have alreadie seen many "Parcels; but, you know, my Vein ne'er "flows so happily as from the autumnal "to the vernal Equinox. Howbeit, there "is Something in the Quality of this Air "would arouse the old Man of Chios him"self."

"Sure," cries Ned, "you have less Need

"than

« SebelumnyaLanjutkan »