VII "'Disasters, do the best we can, Will reach both great and small; And he is oft the wisest man, Who is not wise at all. For me, why should I wish to roam? 65 This spot is my paternal home, It is my pleasant heritage; My father many a happy year, Spread here [7] his careless blossoms, here Attained a good old age. 70 VIII "'Even such as his may be my lot. What cause have I to haunt My heart with terrors? Am I not In truth a favoured plant! On me such bounty Summer pours, 75 That I am covered o'er with flowers; [8] And, when the Frost is in the sky, My branches are so fresh and gay That you might look at me [9] and say, This Plant can never die. 80 IX "'The butterfly, all green and gold, To me hath often flown, Here in my blossoms to behold Wings lovely as his own. When grass is chill with rain or dew, 85 Beneath my shade, the mother-ewe Lies with her infant lamb; I see The love they to each other make, And the sweet joy which they partake, It is a joy to me.' 90 X "Her voice was blithe, her heart was light; The Broom might have pursued Her speech, until the stars of night Their journey had renewed; But in the branches of the oak 95 Two ravens now began to croak Their nuptial song, a gladsome air; And to her own green bower the breeze That instant brought two stripling bees To rest, or [10] murmur there. 100 XI "One night, my Children! from the north There came a furious blast; [11] At break of day I ventured forth, And near the cliff I passed. The storm had fallen upon the Oak, 105 And struck him with a mighty stroke, And whirled, and whirled him far away; And, in one hospitable cleft, The little careless Broom was left To live for many a day." 110 * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1820. ... thundering, ... 1800.] [Variant 2: 1815. ... half giant and half sage, 1800.] [Variant 3: 1820. It came, you know, with fire and smoke And hither did it bend its way. 1800. And hitherward it bent its way. 1802.] [Variant 4: 1836. The Thing had better been asleep, Whatever thing it were, Or Breeze, or Bird, or fleece of Sheep, That first did plant you there. 1800.