IV.

"Here to the houseless child of want

My door is open still;

And though my portion is but scant,

I give it with good will.

V.

"Then turn to-night, and freely share

Whate'er my cell bestows;
My rushy couch and frugal fare,

My blessing and repose.

VI.

"No flocks that range the valley free,
To slaughter I condemn;

Taught by that Power that pities me,

I learn to pity them:

VII.

"But from the mountain's grassy side
A guiltless feast I bring;

A scrip with herbs and fruits supplied,

And water from the spring.

VIII.

"Then, pilgrim, turn; thy cares forego;

All earth-born cares are wrong: 'Man wants but little here below,

Nor wants that little long.'

* [Goldsmith has been charged with here appropriating to himself, without acknowledgment, a line of Young

IX.

Soft as the dew from heaven descends,

His gentle accents fell:

The modest stranger lowly bends,

And follows to the cell.

X.

Far in a wilderness obscure

The lonely mansion lay,*
A refuge to the neighb'ring poor

And strangers led astray.

XI.

No stores beneath its humble thatch

Requir'd a master's care;

The wicket, opening with a latch,†
Receiv'd the harmless pair.

XII.

And now, when busy crowds retire
To take their evening rest,
The Hermit trimm'd his little fire,
And cheer'd his pensive guest;

XIII.

And spread his vegetable store,

And gayly press'd, and smil'd;

"Man wants but little, nor that little long:"

but in the original copy the passage was given in the usual manner of quota. tions; and this has now been restored accordingly.]

["Far shelter'd in a glade obscure

The modest mansion lay."-First edit.]

["The door just opening with a latch."--Ibid.]
["And now, when worldly crowds retire
To revels or to rest."-Ibid}

And those who prize the trifling things, More trifling still than they.

XIX.

"And what is friendship but a name;

A charm that lulls to sleep;

A shade that follows wealth or fame,
But leaves the wretch to weep?

XX.

And love is still an emptier sound,
The modern fair one's jest:
On earth unseen, or only found
To warm the turtle's nest.

XXI.

"For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush,
And spurn the sex," he said;
But while he spoke, a rising blush
His love-lorn guest betray'd.*

The lovely stranger stands confest,

A maid in all her charms.

XXIV.

"And, ah! forgive a stranger rude,
A wretch forlorn," she cried;
"Whose feet unhallow'd thus intrude

Where Heaven and you reside.

XXV.

"But let a maid thy pity share,

Whom love has taught to stray :

Who seeks for rest, but finds despair
Companion of her way.*

XXVI.

"My father liv'd beside the Tyne,

A wealthy lord was he;

And all his wealth was mark'd as mine;

He had but only me.

XXVII.

"To win me from his tender arms,

Unnumber'd suitors came;

"Forgive, and let thy pious care

A beart's distress allay:

That seeks repose, but finds despair
Companion of the way.

"My father liv'd, of high degree,
Remote beside the Tyne;
And as he had but only me,
Whate'er he had was inine.

"To win me from his tender arms,
Unnumber'd suitors came:

Their chief pretence my flatter'd charms,

My wealth perhaps their aim."-First edit.}