"William read us 'The Seven Sisters'." It is uncertain whether this refers to his own poem or not, but I incline to think it does.--Ed.] [Footnote C: In a MS. copy this note runs thus: "This poem, in the groundwork of the story, is from the German of Frederica Brun." Ed.] * * * * * RURAL ARCHITECTURE Composed 1800.--Published 1800 [Written at Town-end, Grasmere. These structures, as every one knows, are common amongst our hills, being built by shepherds, as conspicuous marks, and occasionally by boys in sport.--I. F.] Included among the "Poems referring to the Period of Childhood."--Ed. There's George Fisher, Charles Fleming, and Reginald Shore, [1] Three rosy-cheeked school-boys, the highest not more Than the height of a counsellor's bag; To the top of GREAT HOW [A] did it please them to climb: [2] And there they built up, without mortar or lime, 5 A Man on the peak of the crag. They built him of stones gathered up as they lay: They built him and christened him all in one day, An urchin both vigorous and hale; And so without scruple they called him Ralph Jones. 10 Now Ralph is renowned for the length of his bones; The Magog of Legberthwaite dale. Just half a week after, the wind sallied forth, And, in anger or merriment, out of the north, Coming on with a terrible pother, 15 From the peak of the crag blew the giant away. And what did these school-boys?--The very next day They went and they built up another. --Some little I've seen of blind boisterous works By Christian disturbers more savage than Turks, [3] 20 Spirits busy to do and undo: At remembrance whereof my blood sometimes will flag; Then, light-hearted Boys, to the top of the crag; And I'll build up a giant with you. [4] * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1800. From the meadows of ARMATH, on THIRLMERE'S wild shore, 1827. The text of 1832 reverts to that of 1800.] [Variant 2: 1800. ... were once tempted to climb; 1827 The text of 1832 reverts to that of 1800.] [Variant 3: 1820. In Paris and London, 'mong Christians or Turks, 1800] [Variant 4: This last stanza was omitted from the editions of 1805 and 1815. It was restored in 1820.] * * * * * FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT [Footnote A: Great How is a single and conspicuous hill, which rises towards the foot of Thirl-mere, on the western side of the beautiful dale of Legberthwaite, along the high road between Keswick and Ambleside.--W. W. 1800.]