26 REMARKS ON " THE DESERTED TILLAGE " 



labours of the day in simple strains, and accompanied by one 

 of the softer sex, who, delighted with the attentions of her 

 rustic lover, sings with a light heart a cheerful song, 

 awakening a response from him ; and thus, in true rural 

 simplicity, artlessly entwining the affections of her lover. 

 Around them, in the field, are the " sober herd," displaying 

 the characteristic fondness of the dumb creation for their 

 offspring; while the "noisy geese" are amusing themselves in 

 the pool, their distracting cackle softened by the sweeter 

 sounds around ; while the " playful children " keep before us 

 the idea of a contented and happy population, with which 

 the poem commenced, which is still strengthened by the 

 " loud laugh " which comes from among a crowd of villagers, 

 and the "watch-dog's bark," who has no more substantial 

 object of pursuit than the murmuring breeze. All these, 

 in sweet confusion, are said to " fill the pause the nightingale 

 had made." This brings us back to the poet, who, listening to 

 the sounds, has only done so during the intervals of the sweet 

 song of nature, of which true poets are always ardent admirers. 

 This scene was one which gave Auburn much of its interest 

 in the poet's afiections, and accordingly he goes on to contrast 

 the present state of " The Deserted Village" with its former 

 condition. All these have now passed away, and the Muse 

 sings in melancholy strains the unpropitious change. The 

 " cheerful murmurs" of a happy and contented population no 

 longer " fluctuate in the gale ;" — the footpath, overgrown with 

 grass, is no longer trod by the busy steps which proved the 

 existence of the "blooming flush of life," the absence of 

 which is so pathetically deplored ; and but one solitary inha- 

 bitant is represented as deriving a miserable subsistence by 

 stripping the " brook with mantling cresses spread." 



The picture drawn of the modest mansion of the village 

 preacher is but an introduction to describe the minister him- 

 self. Chaucer has, among the characters in the Canterbury 

 Tales, a " poure persone of a toun," whose life is described 



