tic height,
The Downs, transfigured in the light,

Seemed such a garb of joy to wear,
So young and radiant an air,
God might but just have set them there.

* * * * *

Sir Herbert Springett, Ringmer's squire,
(No better man in all the shire)--
He too was filled with kindling fire,

Which, working in him, did incite
The worthy and capacious knight
To doughty deeds of appetite.

Sir Herbert's lady watched her lord
Range mightily about the board
Which she of her abundance stored,

(The Lady Barbara, for whom
The blossoms of the simple-room
Diffused their friendliest perfume,

Than who none quicklier heard the call
Of true distress, and left the Hall
Eager to do her gentle all,

When village patients needed aid.
And O the rich Marchpane she made!
And O the rare quince marmalade!)

Just as the squire was satisfied,
The noise of feet was heard outside;
A knock. "Come in!" Sir Herbert cried.

And lo! John Grigg in Sunday smock;
Begged pardon, pulled an oily lock;
Explained: "The mud's above the hough.

"No horse could draw 'ee sir," he said.
"Humph!" quoth the squire and scratched his head.
"Then yoke the oxen in instead."

(A lesser man would gladly turn
His chair to fire again, and learn
How fancifully logs can burn,

Grateful for such immunity
From parson. Not the squire; for see,
"True sonne of England's Church" was he.)

So, as he ordered, was it done.
The oxen came forth one by one,
Their wide horns glinting in the sun,

And to the coach were yoked. Then--dressed,
As squires should be, in glorious best,
With wonderful brocaded vest,--

Out came Sir Herbert, took his seat,
Waved "Barbara, farewell, my Sweet!"
And off they started, all complete.

Although they drew so light a load
(For them!) so heavy was the road,
John Grigg was busy with his goad.

The cottagers in high delight
Ran out to see the startling sight
And make obeisance to the knight,

While floated through the liquid air,
And o'er the sunlit meadows fair,
The throbbing belfry's call to prayer.

At last, and after many a lurch
That shook Sir Herbert in his perch,
John Grigg drew up before the church;