Once through a vale of tempting wiles I stray'd,
Till dusky evening drew her silent shade,
And night approach'd before I guess'd the hour,
Wrapp'd in a cloud, and usher'd by a shower.
A cottage, shelter'd by a fringing wood,
On a green carpet sweet and lonely stood;
The rising hill on either side would show
Where the wild rose uncropped might safely blow,
Where the soft murmurs of a low cascade
Might join the stream that gurgl'd through the glade;
Along the pasture nibbling sheep were seen,
Whose new-wash'd fleeces brighter made the green;
Two lambs ran frisking to avoid the shower,
And knock'd their little heads against the door;
The opening door a willing shelter lends,
For here sweet Innocence and Man were friends;
Two little cherubs, rosy as the morn,
The sweetest wild flowers wreath'd around each horn,
The little playmates knew the gentle hand,
And, patted softly, took a patient stand;
Then skipp'd and frolic'd, fond to lead the way,
And show the world how Innocence should play.