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DORA.

BY ALFRED TENNYSON.

WITH farmer Allan at the farm abode William and Dora. William was his son, And she his niece. He often look'd at them, And often thought "I'll make them man and wife."

Now Dora felt her uncle's will in all,

And yearn'd towards William

youth, because

but the

He had been always with her in the house,

Thought not of Dora.

Then there came a day

When Allan call'd his son, and said, “My son:
I married late, but I would wish to see
My grandchild on my knees before I die:

And I have set my heart upon a match.
Now therefore look to Dora; she is well
To look to; thrifty too beyond her age.
She is my brother's daughter: he and I
Had once hard words, and parted, and he
died

In foreign lands; but for his sake I bred
His daughter Dora: take her for your wife;
For I have wish'd this marriage night and
day,

For many years." But William answer'd

short;

"I cannot marry Dora; by my life,

I will not marry Dora." Then the old

man

Was wroth, and doubled up his hands, and

said:

"You will not, boy! you dare to answer thus!

But in my time a father's word was law,
And so it shall be now for me.

to it;

Look

Consider, William: take a month to think,
And let me have an answer to my wish;
Or, by the Lord that made me, you shall
pack,

And never more darken my doors again."
But William answer'd madly; bit his lips,
And broke away.
The more he look'd at

her

The less he liked her; and his ways were

harsh ;

But Dora bore them meekly. Then before The month was out he left his father's house, And hired himself to work within the fields; And half in love, half spite, he woo'd and wed

A labourer's daughter, Mary Morrison.

Then, when the bells were ringing, Allan call'd

His niece and said: "My girl, I love you

well;

But if you speak with him that was my son, Or change a word with her he calls his wife, My home is none of yours. My will is law." And Dora promised, being meek.

thought,

:

She

"It cannot be my uncle's mind will change!"

And days went on, and there was born a boy

To William; then distresses came on him; And day by day he pass'd his father's gate, Heart-broken, and his father help'd him not. But Dora stored what little she could save, And sent it them by stealth, nor did they know

Who sent it; till at last a fever seized
On William, and in harvest time he died.
Then Dora went to Mary. Mary sat
And look'd with tears upon her boy, and
thought

Hard things of Dora. Dora came and said:
"I have obey'd my uncle until now,
And I have sinn'd, for it was all thro' me
This evil came on William at the first.
But, Mary, for the sake of him that's gone,
And for your sake, the woman that he chose,
And for this orphan, I am come to you:
You know there has not been for these five

years

So full a harvest: let me take the boy,

And I will set him in my uncle's eye

Among the wheat; that when his heart is

glad

Of the full harvest, he may see the boy,

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