{"product_id":"2940149577088","title":"Popular British Ballads, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 3 (of 4) (Illustrated)","description":"Turn, gentle hermit of the dale,\u003cbr\u003eAnd guide my lonely way\u003cbr\u003eTo where yon taper cheers the vale\u003cbr\u003eWith hospitable ray.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"For here forlorn and lost I tread,\u003cbr\u003eWith fainting steps and slow,\u003cbr\u003eWhere wilds, immeasurably spread,\u003cbr\u003eSeem length'ning as I go.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Forbear, my son,\" the hermit cries,\u003cbr\u003e\"To tempt the dangerous gloom;\u003cbr\u003eFor yonder faithless phantom flies\u003cbr\u003eTo lure thee to thy doom.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere to the houseless child of want\u003cbr\u003eMy door is open still;\u003cbr\u003eAnd though my portion is but scant,\u003cbr\u003eI give it with good will.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Then turn to-night, and freely share\u003cbr\u003eWhateer my cell bestows;\u003cbr\u003eMy rushy couch and frugal fare,\u003cbr\u003eMy blessing and repose.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"No flocks that range the valley free\u003cbr\u003eTo slaughter I condemn;\u003cbr\u003eTaught by that Power that pities me,\u003cbr\u003eI learn to pity them:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"But from the mountain's grassy side\u003cbr\u003eA guiltless feast I bring;\u003cbr\u003eA scrip with herbs and fruits supplied,\u003cbr\u003eAnd water from the spring.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego;\u003cbr\u003eAll earth-born cares are wrong:\u003cbr\u003eMan wants but little here below,\u003cbr\u003eNor wants that little long.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSoft as the dew from heaven descends,\u003cbr\u003eHis gentle accents fell:\u003cbr\u003eThe modest stranger lowly bends,\u003cbr\u003eAnd follows to the cell.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFar in a wilderness obscure\u003cbr\u003eThe lonely mansion lay—\u003cbr\u003eA refuge to the neighbouring poor,\u003cbr\u003eAnd strangers led astray.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo stores beneath its humble thatch\u003cbr\u003eRequired a master's care;\u003cbr\u003eThe wicket, opening with a latch,\u003cbr\u003eReceived the harmless pair.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd now, when busy crowds retire\u003cbr\u003eTo take their evening rest,\u003cbr\u003eThe hermit trimmed his little fire,\u003cbr\u003eAnd cheered his pensive guest:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd spread his vegetable store,\u003cbr\u003eAnd gaily pressed and smiled;\u003cbr\u003eAnd, skilled in legendary lore,\u003cbr\u003eThe ling'ring hours beguiled.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAround, in sympathetic mirth,\u003cbr\u003eIts tricks the kitten tries,\u003cbr\u003eThe cricket chirrups on the hearth,\u003cbr\u003eThe crackling faggot flies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut nothing could a charm impart\u003cbr\u003eTo soothe the stranger's woe;\u003cbr\u003eFor grief was heavy at his heart,\u003cbr\u003eAnd tears began to flow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis rising cares the hermit spied,\u003cbr\u003eWith answering care opprest:\u003cbr\u003eAnd \"Whence, unhappy youth,\" he cried,\u003cbr\u003e\"The sorrows of thy breast?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"From better habitations spurn'd,\u003cbr\u003eReluctant dost thou rove?\u003cbr\u003eOr grieve for friendship unreturn'd,\u003cbr\u003eOr unregarded love?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Alas! the joys that fortune brings,\u003cbr\u003eAre trifling, and decay;\u003cbr\u003eAnd those who prize the paltry things,\u003cbr\u003eMore trifling still than they.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"And what is friendship but a name,\u003cbr\u003eA charm that lulls to sleep,\u003cbr\u003eA shade that follows wealth or fame,\u003cbr\u003eBut leaves the wretch to weep?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"And love is still an emptier sound,\u003cbr\u003eThe modern fair one's jest;\u003cbr\u003eOn earth unseen, or only found\u003cbr\u003eTo warm the turtle's nest.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush,\u003cbr\u003eAnd spurn the sex,\" he said;\u003cbr\u003eBut while he spoke, a rising blush\u003cbr\u003eHis love-lorn guest betray'd.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSurprised he sees new beauties rise,\u003cbr\u003eSwift mantling to the view:\u003cbr\u003eLike colours o er the morning skies,\u003cbr\u003eAs bright, as transient too.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe bashful look, the rising breast,\u003cbr\u003eAlternate spread alarms:\u003cbr\u003eThe lovely stranger stands confest\u003cbr\u003eA maid in all her charms.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Lost Leaf Publications","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47079685292272,"sku":"2940149577088","price":1.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940149577088_p0.jpg?v=1763719478","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940149577088","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}