Clamour of boys with innocent despites

Of barking dogs, and bleatings from strange fear.

And what if Duddon's spotless flood receive[455]

Unwelcome mixtures as the uncouth noise

Thickens, the pastoral River will forgive

Such wrong; nor need we blame the licensed joys,

Though false to Nature's quiet equipoise:

Frank are the sports, the stains are fugitive.


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