The Study of Poetry • Paragraph 1790
Stage 1 of 6

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Beyond, and half way up the mouth o’ the cave, {35} The Bactrian convert, having his desire, Kept watch, and made pretence to graze a goat That gave us milk, on rags of various herb, Plantain and quitch, the rocks’ shade keeps alive: So that if any thief or soldier passed {40} (Because the persecution was aware), Yielding the goat up promptly with his life, Such man might pass on, joyful at a prize, Nor care to pry into the cool o’ the cave. Outside was all noon and the burning blue. {45}