But for the child, the sightless Boy,
  It is the triumph of his joy! 
  The bravest traveller in balloon,
  Mounting as if to reach the moon,
    Was never half so blessed. 170

  And let him, let him go his way,
  Alone, and innocent, and gay! 
  For, if good Angels love to wait
  On the forlorn unfortunate,
    This Child will take no harm. 175

  But now the passionate lament,
  Which from the crowd on shore was sent,
  The cries which broke from old and young
  In Gaelic, or the English tongue,
    Are stifled—­all is still. 180

  And quickly with a silent crew
  A boat is ready to pursue;
  And from the shore their course they take,
  And swiftly down the running lake
    They follow the blind Boy. 185

  But soon they move with softer pace;
  So have ye seen the fowler chase
  On Grasmere’s clear unruffled breast
  A youngling of the wild-duck’s nest
    With deftly-lifted oar; 190

  Or as the wily sailors crept
  To seize (while on the Deep it slept)
  The hapless creature which did dwell
  Erewhile within the dancing shell,
    They steal upon their prey. [18] 195

  With sound the least that can be made,
  They follow, more and more afraid,
  More cautious as they draw more near;
  But in his darkness he can hear,
    And guesses their intent. 200

  “Lei-gha—­Lei-gha”—­he then cried out,
  “Lei-gha—­Lei-gha”—­with eager shout; [19]
  Thus did he cry, and thus did pray,
  And what he meant was, “Keep away,
    And leave me to myself!” [E] 205

  Alas! and when he felt their hands—­
  You’ve often heard [20] of magic wands,
  That with a motion overthrow
  A palace of the proudest show,
    Or melt it into air:  210

  So all his dreams—­that inward light
  With which his soul had shone so bright—­
  All vanished;—­’twas a heartfelt cross
  To him, a heavy, bitter loss,
    As he had ever known. 215

  But hark! a gratulating voice,
  With which the very hills rejoice: 
  ’Tis from the crowd, who tremblingly
  Have [21] watched the event, and now can see
    That he is safe at last. 220

  And then, when he was brought to land,
  Full sure they were a happy band,
  Which, gathering round, did on the banks
  Of that great Water give God thanks,
    And welcomed the poor Child. 225

  And in the general joy of heart
  The blind Boy’s little dog took part;
  He leapt about, and oft did kiss
  His master’s hands in sign of bliss,
    With sound like lamentation. 230