Oh! would, poor beast, that I had now A heart but half as good as thine!" 1100

But _He_--who deviously hath sought His Father through the lonesome woods, Hath sought, proclaiming to the ear Of night his grief and sorrowful fear--[118]

He comes, escaped from fields and floods;--1105

With weary pace is drawing nigh; He sees the a.s.s--and nothing living Had ever such a fit of joy As hath [119] this little orphan Boy, For he has no misgiving! 1110

Forth to [120] the gentle a.s.s he springs, And up about his neck he climbs; In loving words he talks to him, He kisses, kisses face and limb,-- He kisses him a thousand times! 1115

This Peter sees, while in the shade He stood beside the cottage-door; And Peter Bell, the ruffian wild, Sobs loud, he sobs even like a child, "Oh! G.o.d, I can endure no more!" 1120

--Here ends my Tale: for in a trice Arrived a neighbour with his horse; Peter went forth with him straightway; And, with due care, ere break of day, Together they brought back the Corse. 1125

And many years did this poor a.s.s, Whom once it was my luck to see Cropping the shrubs of Leming-Lane, Help by his labour to maintain The Widow and her family. 1130

And Peter Bell, who, till that night, Had been the wildest of his clan, Forsook his crimes, renounced [121] his folly, And, after ten months' melancholy, Became a good and honest man. [K] 1135

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1: 1827.

And something 1819.]

[Variant 2:

1849.

Whose shape is like 1819.

For shape just like 1845.]

[Variant 3:

1845.

The noise of danger fills 1819.]

[Variant 4:

1827.

Meanwhile I from the helm admire 1819.

... I soberly admire C.]

[Variant 5:

1827.

Or deep into the heavens 1819.

Or into ma.s.sy clouds 1820.]

[Variant 6:

1820.

... between ... 1819.]

[Variant 7:

1827.

... are ill-built, But proud let him be who has seen them; 1819.]

[Variant 8:

1827.

... between ... 1819.]

[Variant 9:

1827.

That darling speck ... 1819.]

[Variant 10:

1836.

And there it is, ... 1819.]

[Variant 11: