Forthwith alighting on the ground, "Whence comes," said I, "this piteous moan?" [3] And there a little Girl I found, Sitting behind the chaise, alone. 20 "My cloak!" no other word she spake, But loud and bitterly she wept, As if her innocent heart would break; [4] And down from off her seat [5] she leapt. "What ails you, child?"--she sobbed "Look here!" 25 I saw it in the wheel entangled, A weather-beaten rag as e'er From any garden scare-crow dangled. There, twisted between nave and spoke, It hung, nor could at once be freed; 30 But our joint pains unloosed the cloak, [6] A miserable rag indeed! [7] "And whither are you going, child, To-night along these lonesome ways?" "To Durham," answered she, half wild--35 "Then come with me into the chaise." Insensible to all relief Sat the poor girl, and forth did send Sob after sob, as if her grief [8] Could never, never have an end. 40 "My child, in Durham do you dwell?" She checked herself in her distress, And said, "My name is Alice Fell; I'm fatherless and motherless. "And I to Durham, Sir, belong." 45 Again, [9] as if the thought would choke Her very heart, her grief grew strong; And all was for her tattered cloak! The chaise drove on; our journey's end Was nigh; and, sitting by my side, 50 As if she had lost [10] her only friend She wept, nor would be pacified. Up to the tavern-door we post; Of Alice and her grief I told; And I gave money to the host, 55 To buy a new cloak for the old. "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! 60 * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1845. When suddenly I seem'd to hear A moan, a lamentable sound. 1807.] [Variant 2: 1845. And soon I heard upon the blast The voice, and bade .... 1807.] [Variant 3: 1845. Said I, alighting on the ground, "What can it be, this piteous moan?" 1807. Forthwith alighted on the ground To learn what voice the piteous moan Had made, a little girl I found, C.] [Variant 4: 1836. "My Cloak!" the word was last and first, And loud and bitterly she wept, As if her very heart would burst; 1807. "My cloak, my cloak" she cried, and spake No other word, but loudly wept, C.] [Variant 5: 1815. ... off the Chaise ... 1807.] [Variant 6: 1845. 'Twas twisted betwixt nave and spoke; Her help she lent, and with good heed Together we released the Cloak; 1807. ... between ... 1840.] [Variant 7: 1836. A wretched, wretched rag indeed! 1807.] [Variant 8: 1845.