With him there often walked in friendly guise, Or lay upon the moss by brook or tree, A noticeable Man with large grey eyes, And a pale face that seemed undoubtedly 40 As if a blooming face it ought to be; Heavy his low-hung lip did oft appear, Deprest by weight of musing Phantasy; Profound his forehead was, though not severe; Yet some did think that he had little business here: 45 Sweet heaven forefend! his was a lawful right; Noisy he was, and gamesome as a boy; His limbs would toss about him with delight Like branches when strong winds the trees annoy. Nor lacked his calmer hours device or toy 50 To banish listlessness and irksome care; He would have taught you how you might employ Yourself; and many did to him repair,-- And certes not in vain; he had inventions rare. Expedients, too, of simplest sort he tried: 55 Long blades of grass, plucked round him as he lay, Made, to his ear attentively applied, A pipe on which the wind would deftly play; Glasses he had, that little things display, The beetle panoplied in gems and gold, [2] 60 A mailed angel on a battle-day; The mysteries that cups of flowers enfold, [3] And all the gorgeous sights which fairies do behold. He would entice that other Man to hear His music, and to view his imagery: 65 And, sooth, these two were each to the other dear: No livelier love in such a place could be: [4] There did they dwell-from earthly labour free, As happy spirits as were ever seen; If but a bird, to keep them company, 70 Or butterfly sate down, they were, I ween, As pleased as if the same had been a Maiden-queen. * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1836. ... did ... 1815.] [Variant 2: 1827. The beetle with his radiance manifold, 1815.] [Variant 3: 1827. And cups of flowers, and herbage green and gold; 1815.] [Variant 4: 1836. And, sooth, these two did love each other dear, As far as love in such a place could be; 1815.] * * * * * FOOTNOTES ON THE TEXT [Footnote A: Compare 'And oft he traced the uplands to survey, When o'er the sky advanced the kindling dawn, The crimson cloud.' Beattie's 'Minstrel', book I, st. 20. 'And oft the craggy cliff he loved to climb When all in mist the world below was lost.' Book I. st. 21. 'And of each gentle, and each dreadful scene In darkness, and in storm, he found delight.' Book I. st. 22. Ed.] [Footnote B: Compare the stanza in 'A Poet's Epitaph' (p. 77), beginning 'He is retired as noontide dew.' Ed.]