things as trifles at best) told me with his usual good humour, the next time I saw him, that he had taken my plan to form the fragments of Shakspeare into a ballad of his own. He then read me his little Cento, if I may so call it, and I highly approved it. Such petty anecdotes as these are scarcely worth printing; and, were it not for the busy disposition of some of your correspondents, the public should never have known that he owes me the hint of his ballad, or that I am obliged to his friendship and learning for communications of a much more important nature. I am, Sir, Yours, &c. OLIVER GOLDSMITH. Note. On the subject of the preceding letter, the reader is desired to consult "The Life of Dr Goldsmith," under the year 1765. THE HERMIT; BALLAD. I. "TURN, gentle Hermit of the dale, To where yon taper cheers the vale II. "For here forlorn and lost I tread, 66 III. Forbear, my son," the Hermit cries, IV. "Here to the houseless child of want And though my portion is but scant, V. "Then turn to-night, and freely share VI. "No flocks that range the valley free To slaughter I condemn; Taught by that Power that pities me, I learn to pity them: VII. "But from the mountain's grassy side A guiltless feast I bring; A scrip with herbs and fruits supplied, And water from the spring. VIII. “Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego; IX. Soft as the dew from heaven descends, X. Far in a wilderness obscure A refuge to the neighb'ring poor XI. No stores beneath its humble thatch XII. And now, when busy crowds retire XIII. And spread his vegetable store, XIV. Around in sympathetic mirth XV. But nothing could a charm impart XVI. His rising cares the Hermit spied, "And whence, unhappy youth," he cried, "The sorrows of thy breast? XVII. "From better habitations spurn'd, XVIII. "Alas! the joys that fortune brings, And those who prize the paltry things, XIX. "And what is friendship but a name, XX. "And love is still an emptier sound, On earth unseen, or only found XXI. "For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush, XXII. Surpris'd he sees new beauties rise, |