The Barn and the Down + 

It stood in the sunset sky + 

Like the straight-backed down, + 

Many a time⁠—the barn + 

At the edge of the town, + 

So huge and dark that it seemed + 

It was the hill + 

Till the gable’s precipice proved + 

It impossible. + 

Then the great down in the west + 

Grew into sight, + 

A barn stored full to the ridge + 

With black of night; + 

And the barn fell to a barn + 

Or even less + 

Before critical eyes and its own + 

Late mightiness. + 

But far down and near barn and I + 

Since then have smiled, + 

Having seen my new cautiousness + 

By itself beguiled + 

To disdain what seemed the barn + 

Till a few steps changed + 

It past all doubt to the down; + 

So the barn was avenged. + 