Rural Architecture

William Wordsworth

There's George Fisher, Charles Fleming, and Reginald Shore, 
Three rosy-cheeked school-boys, the highest not more 
Than the height of a counsellor's bag; 
To the top of GREAT HOW did it please them to climb: 
And there they built up, without mortar or lime, 
A Man on the peak of the crag. 

They built him of stones gathered up as they lay: 
They built him and christened him all in one day, 
An urchin both vigorous and hale; 
And so without scruple they called him Ralph Jones. 
Now Ralph is renowned for the length of his bones; 
The Magog of Legberthwaite dale. 

Just half a week after, the wind sallied forth, 
And, in anger or merriment, out of the north, 
Coming on with a terrible pother, 
From the peak of the crag blew the giant away. 
And what did these school-boys?--The very next day 
They went and they built up another. 

--Some little I've seen of blind boisterous works 
By Christian disturbers more savage than Turks, 
Spirits busy to do and undo: 
At remembrance whereof my blood sometimes will flag; 
Then, light-hearted Boys, to the top of the crag! 
And I'll build up giant with you.

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