74 SELECT POETRY “ My stockings there I often knit, My kerchief there I hem ; And there upon the ground I sit— I sit and sing to them. « And, often after sunset, Sir, When it is light and fair, I take my little porringer, And eat my supper there, “ The first that died was little Jane; *In bed she moaning lay, Till God released her of her pain, And then she went away. * So in the church-yard she was laid ; And all the summer dry, Together round her grave we played, My brother John and I. “¢ And when the ground was white with snew, And I could run and slide, My brother John was forced to go, And he lies by her side.” “ How many are you then,” said I ‘* If they two are in heaven ?” The little maiden did reply, “O master ! we are seven.” “ But they are dead; those two are dead; Their spirits are in heaven !” “Twas throwing words away ; for still The little maid would have her will, And said, “ Nay, we are seven.” Wordsworth