Birds warbled round me—­and each trace
  Of inward sadness had its charm;
  Kilve, thought I, was a favoured place,[6]
  And so is Liswyn farm.

  My boy beside me tripped, so slim 25
  And graceful in his rustic dress! 
  And, as we talked, I questioned him, [7]
  In very idleness.

  “Now tell me, had you rather be,”
  I said, and took him by the arm, 30
  “On Kilve’s smooth shore, by the green sea,
  Or here at Liswyn farm?” [8]

  In careless mood he looked at me,
  While still I held him by the arm,
  And said, “At Kilve I’d rather be 35
  Than here at Liswyn farm.”

  “Now, little Edward, say why so: 
  My little Edward, tell me why.”—­
  “I cannot tell, I do not know.”—­
  “Why, this is strange,” said I; 40

  “For, here are woods, hills smooth and warm:  [9]
  There surely must some reason be
  Why you would change sweet Liswyn farm
  For Kilve by the green sea.”

  At this, my boy hung down his head, 45
  He blushed with shame, nor made reply; [10]
  And three times to the child I said, [11]
  “Why, Edward, tell me why?”

  His head he raised—­there was in sight,
  It caught his eye, he saw it plain—­ 50
  Upon the house-top, glittering bright,
  A broad and gilded vane.

  Then did the boy his tongue unlock,
  And eased his mind with this reply:  [12]
  “At Kilve there was no weather-cock; 55
  And that’s the reason why.”

  O dearest, dearest boy! my heart
  For better lore would seldom yearn,
  Could I but teach the hundredth part
  Of what from thee I learn. [B] 60

* * * * *

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1: 

1800.

    the art ... 1798.]

[Variant 2: 

1802.

    ... house ... 1798.]

[Variant 3: 

1802.

    My ... 1798.]

[Variant 4: 

1827.

    To think, and think, and think again; 1798.]

[Variant 5: 

1827.

    The young lambs ran a pretty race;
    The morning sun shone bright and warm;
    “Kilve,” said I, “was a pleasant place,
    And so is Liswyn farm.” 1798.]

[Variant 6: 

1836.

    ...—­every trace
    Of inward sadness had its charm;
    “Kilve,” said I, ... 1827.

This verse was introduced in 1827.]

[Variant 7:  1836.

    My boy was by my side, so slim
    And graceful in his rustic dress! 
    And oftentimes I talked to him, 1798.