II In clouds above, the lark is heard, But drops not here to earth for rest; [2] Within [3] this lonesome nook the bird Did never build her [4] nest. 15 No beast, no bird hath here his home; Bees, wafted on [5] the breezy air, Pass high above those fragrant bells To other flowers:--to other dells Their burthens do they bear; [6] 20 The Danish Boy walks here alone: The lovely dell is all his own. III A Spirit of noon-day is he; Yet seems [7] a form of flesh and blood; Nor piping shepherd shall he be, 25 Nor herd-boy of the wood. [8] A regal vest of fur he wears, In colour like a raven's wing; It fears not [9] rain, nor wind, nor dew; But in the storm 'tis fresh and blue 30 As budding pines in spring; His helmet has a vernal grace, Fresh as the bloom upon his face. IV A harp is from his shoulder slung; Resting the harp upon his knee; 35 To words of a forgotten tongue, He suits its melody. [10] Of flocks upon the neighbouring hill [11] He is the darling and the joy; And often, when no cause appears, 40 The mountain-ponies prick their ears, --They hear the Danish Boy, While in the dell he sings [12] alone Beside the tree and corner-stone. [13] V There sits he; in his face you spy 45 No trace of a ferocious air, Nor ever was a cloudless sky So steady or so fair. The lovely Danish Boy is blest And happy in his flowery cove: 50 From bloody deeds his thoughts are far; And yet he warbles songs of war, That seem [14] like songs of love, For calm and gentle is his mien; Like a dead Boy he is serene. 55 * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1836. ... a cottage hut; 1800.] [Variant 2: 1827. He sings his blithest and his best; 1800. She sings, regardless of her rest, 1820.] [Variant 3: 1827. But in ... 1800.] [Variant 4: 1820. ... his ... 1800.] [Variant 5: 1827. The bees borne on ... 1800.] [Variant 6: 1827. Nor ever linger there. 1800.] [Variant 7: 1836. He seems ... 1800.] [Variant 8: 1802. A piping Shepherd he might be, A Herd-boy of the wood. 1800.] [Variant 9: 1802. ... nor ... 1800.] [Variant 10: 1836. He rests the harp upon his knee, And there in a forgotten tongue He warbles melody. 1800.] [Variant 11: 1827. Of flocks and herds both far and near 1800.