"What thoughts must through the creature's brain have past! Even from the topmost stone, upon the steep, [24] Are but three bounds--and look, Sir, at this last-- O Master! it has been a cruel leap. "For thirteen hours he ran a desperate race; 145 And in my simple mind we cannot tell What cause the Hart might have to love this place, And come and make his death-bed near the well. "Here on the grass perhaps asleep he sank, Lulled by the [25] fountain in the summer tide; 150 This water was perhaps the first he drank When he had wandered from his mother's side. "In April here beneath the flowering [26] thorn He heard the birds their morning carols sing; And he, perhaps, for aught we know, was born 155 Not half a furlong from that self-same spring. "Now, here is [27] neither grass nor pleasant shade; The sun on drearier hollow never shone; So will it be, as I have often said, Till trees, and stones, and fountain, all are gone." 160 "Grey-headed Shepherd, thou hast spoken well; Small difference lies between thy creed and mine: This Beast not unobserved by Nature fell; His death was mourned by sympathy divine. "The Being, that is in the clouds and air, 165 That is in the green leaves among the groves, Maintains a deep and reverential care For the unoffending creatures [28] whom he loves. "The pleasure-house is dust:--behind, before, This is no common waste, no common gloom; 170 But Nature, in due course of time, once more Shall here put on her beauty and her bloom. "She leaves these objects to a slow decay, That what we are, and have been, may be known; But at the coming of the milder day, 175 These monuments shall all be overgrown. "One lesson, Shepherd, let us two divide, Taught both by what she shows, and what conceals; [C] Never to blend our pleasure or our pride With sorrow of the meanest thing that feels." 180 * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1836. He turn'd aside towards a Vassal's door, And, "Bring another Horse!" he cried aloud. 1800.] [Variant 2: 1827. Brach, ... 1800.] [Variant 3: 1827. ... he chid and cheer'd them on 1800.] [Variant 4: 1800. With fawning kindness ... MS.] [Variant 5: 1802. ... of the chace? 1800.] [Variant 6: 1802. This race it looks not like an earthly race; 1800.] [Variant 7: 1820. ... smack'd ... 1800.] [Variant 8: 1820. ... act; 1800.] [Variant 9: 1820. And foaming like a mountain cataract. 1800.] [Variant 10: 1820. His nose half-touch'd ... 1800.] [Variant 11: 1820. Was never man in such a joyful case, 1800.] [Variant 12: 1820. .... place. 1800.] [Variant 13: 1802. ... turning ... 1800.]