[Variant 12: This stanza was omitted in the editions 1815 to 1832, but restored in 1836.--Ed.] [Variant 13: 1836. My journey will be shortly run, 1798.] [Variant 14: 1836. ... I then would die, And my last thoughts ... 1798. ... I then should die, 1800.] [Variant 15: 1836. I feel my body die away, I shall not see another day. 1798.] * * * * * 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, 5 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. 10 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, 15 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. 20 III "When I was young, a single man, And after youthful follies ran, Though little given to care and thought, Yet, so it was, an ewe [3] I bought; And other sheep from her I raised, 25 As healthy sheep as you might see; And then I married, and was rich As I could wish to be; Of sheep I numbered a full score, And every year increased my store. 30 IV "Year after year my stock it grew; And from this one, this single ewe, Full fifty comely sheep I raised, As fine [4] a flock as ever grazed! Upon the Quantock hills they fed; [5] 35 They throve, and we at home did thrive: --This lusty Lamb of all my store Is all that is alive; And now I care not if we die, And perish all of poverty. 40