"What ails you, Child?" she sobb'd, "Look here!" I saw it in the wheel entangled, A weather beaten Rag as e'er From any garden scare-crow dangled. 'Twas twisted betwixt nave and spoke; " And whither are you going, Child, To night along these lonesome ways?" "To Durham" answer'd she half wild "Then come with me into the chaise." She sate like one past all relief; Sob after sob she forth did send "My Child, in Durham do you dwell?" She check'd herself in her distress, And said, "My name is Alice Fell; I'm fatherless and motherless. And I to Durham, Sir, belong." And then, as if the thought would choke Her very heart, her grief grew strong; And all was for her tatter'd Cloak. The chaise drove on; our journey's end Up to the Tavern-door we post; "And let it be of duffil grey, As warm a cloak as man can sell !" Proud Creature was she the next day, The little Orphan, Alice Fell! 5. RESOLUTION AND INDEPENDENCE There was a roaring in the wind all night; The birds are singing in the distant woods; All things that love the sun are out of doors; The grass is bright with rain-drops; on the moors And with her feet she from the plashy earth I was a Traveller then upon the moor; I saw the Hare that rac'd about with joy; And all the ways of men, so vain and melancholy. But, as it sometimes chanceth, from the might As high as we have mounted in delight |