"_Lei-gha--Lei-gha_"--he then cried out, "_Lei-gha--Lei-gha_"--with eager shout; [19] Thus did he cry, and thus did pray, And what he meant was, "Keep away, And leave me to myself!" [E] 205 Alas! and when he felt their hands-- You've often heard [20] of magic wands, That with a motion overthrow A palace of the proudest show, Or melt it into air: 210 So all his dreams--that inward light With which his soul had shone so bright-- All vanished;--'twas a heartfelt cross To him, a heavy, bitter loss, As he had ever known. 215 But hark! a gratulating voice, With which the very hills rejoice: 'Tis from the crowd, who tremblingly Have [21] watched the event, and now can see That he is safe at last. 220 And then, when he was brought to land, Full sure they were a happy band, Which, gathering round, did on the banks Of that great Water give God thanks, And welcomed the poor Child. 225 And in the general joy of heart The blind Boy's little dog took part; He leapt about, and oft did kiss His master's hands in sign of bliss, With sound like lamentation. 230 But most of all, his Mother dear, She who had fainted with her fear, Rejoiced when waking she espies The Child; when she can trust her eyes, And touches the blind Boy. 235 She led him home, and wept amain, When he was in the house again: Tears flowed in torrents from her eyes; She kissed him--how could she chastise? [22] She was too happy far. 240 Thus, after he had fondly braved The perilous Deep, the Boy was saved; And, though his fancies had been wild, Yet he was pleased and reconciled To live in peace on shore. 245 And in the lonely Highland dell Still do they keep the Turtle-shell; And long the story will repeat Of the blind Boy's adventurous feat, And how he was preserved. [23] 250 * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1827. We've ... 1807.] [Variant 2: 1807. How ... MS.] [Variant 3: 1807. Aye, willingly, and what is more One which you never heard before, True story this which I shall tell MS.] [Variant 4: 1837. In land where many a mountain towers, 1807.] [Variant 5: 1807. ... could ... MS.] [Variant 6: 1827. ... sweetly ... 1807.] [Variant 7: 1815. You ... 1807.] [Variant 8: 1837. He's in a vessel of his own, On the swift water hurrying down Towards the mighty Sea. 1807. He in a vessel of his own, On the swift flood is hurrying down 1827. Towards the great, great Sea. MS.] [Variant 9: 1815.