Unto the milkmaid's hand; whilst loud and in regular cadence

Into the sounding pail the foaming streamlets descended.
Lowing of cattle and peals of laughter were heard in the farm-yard,
Echoed back by the barns. Anon they sank into stillness;
Heavily closed, with a creaking sound, the valves of the barn-doors,
Rattled the wooden bars, and all for a season was silent.

⁠In-doors, warm by the wide-mouthed fireplace, idly the farmer
Sat in his elbow-chair, and watched how the flames and the smoke-wreaths
Struggled together like foes in a burning city. Behind him,