In plunged the Knight!—when on firm ground The rescued Maiden lay, Her eyes grew bright with blissful light, Confusion passed away ; She heard, ere to the throne of grace Her faithful Spirit flew, His voice-beheld his speaking face; So was he reconciled to life: Brief words may speak the rest; Wild stream of Aira, hold thy course, Nor fear memorial lays, Where clouds that spread in solemn shade, Are edged with golden rays! Dear art thou to the light of heaven, Though minister of sorrow; Sweet is thy voice at pensive even; Shalt take thy piace with Yarrow! XLVII. TO CORDELIA M HALLSTEADS, ULLSWATER. Nor in the mines beyond the western main, Nor is it silver of romantic Spain But from our loved Helvellyn's depths was brought, XLVIII. MOST sweet it is with unuplifted eyes Pleased rather with some soft ideal scene, The beauty coming and the beauty gone. If Thought and Love desert us, from that day Let us break off all commerce with the Muse: With Thought and Love companions of our way, Whate'er the senses take or may refuse, The Mind's internal heaven shall shed her dews Of inspiration on the humblest lay. Y(L. IV. POEMS OF SENTIMENT AND REFLECTION. I. EXPOSTULATION AND REPLY. [THIS poem is a favorite among the Quakers, as I have learnt on many occasions. It was composed in front of the house at Alfoxden, in the spring of 1798.] WHY, William, on that old grey stone, Thus for the length of half a day, Why, William, sit you thus alone, And dream your time away ? Where are your books ?—that light bequeathed To Beings else forlorn and blind! Up! up! and drink the spirit breathed You look round on your Mother Earth, One morning thus, by Esthwaite lake, "The eye-it cannot choose but see ; Nor less I deem that there are Powers Think you, 'mid all this mighty sum -Then ask not wherefore, here, alone, I sit upon this old grey stone, 1798. |