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Part I.
PETER BELL.
37

What is there now in Peter's heart?
Or whence the might of this strange sound?
The moon uneasy look'd and dimmer,
The broad blue heavens appear'd to glimmer,
And the rocks stagger'd all around.

From Peter's hand the sapling dropp'd!
Threat has he none to execute—
"If any one should come and see
"That I am here, they'll think," quoth he,
"I'm helping this poor dying brute."

He scans the Ass from limb to limb;
And Peter now uplifts his eyes;—
Steady the moon doth look and clear,
And like themselves the rocks appear,
And tranquil are the skies.