Her sea of leaves; thither we turn our steps, I love to see the little goldfinch pluck The groundsil's feather'd seed, and twit and twit; And then in bow'r of apple blossoms perch'd, Trim his gay suit, and pay us with a song. I would not hold him pris'ner for the world. The chimney-haunting swallow, too, my eye And ear well pleases. I delight to see How suddenly he skims the glassy pool; How quaintly dips, and with a bullet's speed Whisks by. I love to be awake, and hear His morning song twitter'd to young-eyed day. But most of all it wins my admiration, And twenty years apprenticeship to boot, The bee observe; She too an artist is, and laughs at man With heaven's peculiar manna. 'Tis for them, But see, the setting sun Puts on a milder countenance, and skirts That silvery meanders here and there; Happy the man who truly loves his home, ADRIANO. BOOK VIII. PATHETIC PIECES. 0000000 0000 CHAP. I. THE STORY OF LE FEVRE. IT was some time in the summer of that year in which Dendermond was taken by the allies, which was about seven years before my father came into the country, and about as many after the time, that my uncle Toby and Trim had private'y decamped from my father's house in town, in order to lay some of the finest sieges in some of the finest fortified cities in Europewhen my uncle Toby was one evening getting his supper, with Trim sitting behind him at a small sideboard ;The landlord of a little inn in the village came into the parlour with an empty phial in his hand to beg a glass or two of sack; 'Tis for a poor gentleman, I think, of the army, said the landlord, who has been taken ill at my house four days ago, and has never held up his head since, or had a desire to taste any thing, till just now, that he has a fancy for a glass of sack and a thin toast, I think, says he, taking his hand from his forehead, it would comfort me. If I could neither beg, borrow, or buy such a thing, -added the landlord, -I would almost steal it for the poor gentleman, he is so ill. I hope in God he will still mend, continued he-we are all of us concerned for him. Thou art a good natured soul, I will answer for thee, cried my uncle Toby; and thou shalt drink the poor gentleman's health in a glass of sack thyself, and take a couple of bottles with my service, and tell him he is heartily welcome to them, and to a dozen more if they will do him good. Though I am persuaded, said my uncle Toby, as the landlord shut the door, he is a very compassionate fellow -Trim,-yet I cannot help entertaining a high opinion of his guest too; there must be something more than common in him, that in so short a time should win so much upon the affections of his host; - And of his whole family, added the corporal, for they are all concerned for him. Step after him, said my uncle Toby, -do Trim,and ask if he knows his name. Fhave quite forgot it, truly, said the landlord, coming back into the parlour with the corporal, but I can ask his son again :- Has he a son with him them? said my uncle Toby,-A boy, replied the landlord, of about eleven or twelve years of age; - but the poor creature has tasted almost as little as his father; he does nothing but mourn and lament for him night and day: He has not stirred from the bed-side these two days. My uncle Toby laid down his knife and fork, and thrust his plate from before him, as the landlord gave him the account; and Trim, without being ordered, took away without saying one word and in a few minutes after brought him his pipe and tobacco. -Stay in the room a little, said my uncle Toby. Trim!-said my uncle Toby, after he had lighted his pipe, and smoaked about a dozen whiffs. - Trim came in front of his master and made his bow;-my uncle Toby smoaked on and said no more. Corporal! said my un |