A man encounters another in distress on a public road, weeping over a lamb he carries. The man reveals that this lamb is the last of his flock, which once numbered fifty. He recounts his past, starting with a single ewe that he bought in his youth. Over time, he built a prosperous life, marrying and raising a family, with his sheep thriving on the mountains. However, misfortune struck as he faced poverty and hardship, leading him to sell his sheep to feed his six children. Each sale brought him sorrow, as he watched his flock diminish, feeling the loss deeply. The man describes the emotional toll of losing his sheep, equating them to his own children, and expresses a sense of despair and guilt as he grapples with his dwindling fortunes. As the flock continued to shrink, he experienced increasing anguish and paranoia, believing others judged him harshly. His mental state deteriorated, and he contemplated fleeing from his troubles. Despite his efforts to care for his family, he felt a growing disconnect from his children, exacerbated by the loss of his sheep. Ultimately, he is left with only the lamb in his arms, symbolizing the end of his once-thriving life. The narrative captures themes of loss, despair, and the emotional weight of responsibility, illustrating the man's profound grief over the remnants of his past.
By William Wordsworth · First published 1815 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Narrative