126 WATERSIDE SKETCHES. 



(A cloud that hovers night and day), 

 The hound hung back, and back he drew 

 The master and his merlin too ! 

 That narrow place of noise and strife 

 Received their little all of life." 



So far all authorities are agreed, but an inspection of 

 certain musty documents throws some doubt upon the 

 sequel. The Lady Alice, according to Wordsworth's ac- 

 ceptation of the popular legend, was apprised of the lad's 

 fate by a forester, who, with a tact and delicacy not unusual, 

 pray observe, even in those rude times, prepared the poor 

 lady for his intelligence by asking — 



" What remains when prayer is unavailing ? " 

 Quoth the bereaved mother, " Endless sorrow." 



" From which affliction — when the grace 

 Of God had in her heart found place — 

 A pious structure fair to see, 

 Rose up, this stately priory." 



That is Mr. Wordsworth ; but the version which seems, 

 not only from documentary evidence, but from our know- 

 ledge of the parties interested, to be most likely is that the 

 abbots and monks of Embasy, up in the bleak fell district, 

 tired of their lonely situation (and there being no fish 

 handy), took advantage of the lady's grief to descend into 

 the valley and remove their priory nearer the beeves and 

 trout. Anyhow the priory was wealthily endowed, and in a 

 short space of time the monks — self-denying souls ! — pos- 

 sessed 2,193 sheep, 713 horned cattle, 95 pigs, and 91 

 goats. 



The man sauntering towards us is the water keeper, and 

 he will recommend us to retrace our steps. He tells us he 

 has been trying all the morning to catch a dish of grayling 



