Of nicest workmanship; that once had held
The sculptured Image of some Patron Saint,
Or of the Blessed Virgin, looking down
On all who entered those religious doors.
But lo! where from the rocky garden Mount
Crowned by its antique summer-house - descends,
Light as the silver fawn, a radiant Girl;

For she hath recognized her honored Friend,
The Wanderer ever welcome! A prompt kiss
The gladsome Child bestows at his request;
And, up the flowery lawn as we advanced,
Hangs on the Old Man with a happy look,
And with a pretty restless hand of love.

We enter-by the Lady of the Place
Cordially greeted. Graceful was her port:
A lofty stature undepressed by Time,
Whose visitation had not wholly spared
The finer lineaments of form and face;

To that complexion brought which prudence trusts in And wisdom loves. But when a stately Ship

Sails in smooth weather by the placid coast
On homeward voyage, what-if wind and wave
And hardship undergone in various climes,
Have caused her to abate the virgin pride,
And that full trim of inexperienced hope
With which she left her haven not for this,
Should the sun strike her, and the impartial breeze
Play on her streamers, fails she to assume
Brightness and touching beauty of her own,
That charm all eyes. So bright, so fair, appeared
This goodly Matron, shining in the beams
Of unexpected pleasure. Soon the board
Was spread, and we partook a plain repast.

Here, resting in cool shelter, we beguiled

The mid-day hours with desultory talk;
From trivial themes to general argument
Passing, as accident or fancy led,

Or courtesy prescribed. While question rose
And answer flowed, the fetters of reserve
Dropping from every mind, the Solitary
Resumed the manners of his happier days;
And, in the various conversation, bore
A willing, nay, at times, a forward part;
Yet with the grace of one who in the world
Had learned the art of pleasing, and had now
Occasion given him to display his skill,
Upon the steadfast 'vantage ground of truth.
He gazed with admiration unsuppressed
Upon the landscape of the sun-bright vale,
Seen, from the shady room in which we sate,
In softened perspective; and more than once
Praised the consummate harmony serene
Of gravity and elegance diffused
Around the Mansion and its whole domain;
Not, doubtless, without help of female taste
And female care "A blessed lot is yours!"
The words escaped his lip with a tender sigh
Breathed over them; but suddenly the door
Flew open, and a pair of lusty Boys
Appeared confusion checking their delight.
- Not Brothers they in feature or attire,
But fond Companions, so I guessed, in field,
And by the river's margin- whence they come,
Anglers elated with unusual spoil.

One bears a willow-pannier on his back,
The Boy of plainer garb, whose blush survives
More deeply tinged. Twin might the other be
To that fair Girl who from the garden Mount
Bounded - triumphant entry this for him!

Between his hands he holds a smooth blue stone,
On whose capacious surface see outspread
Large store of gleaming crimson-spotted trouts;
Ranged side by side, and lessening by degrees
Up to the Dwarf that tops the pinnacle.

Upon the Board he lays the sky-blue stone

With its rich freight; their number he proclaims;

Tells from what pool the noblest had been dragged;
And where the very monarch of the brook,
After long struggle, had escaped at last
Stealing alternately at them and us

(As doth his Comrade too) a look of pride
And, verily, the silent Creatures made
A splendid sight, together thus exposed;
Dead but not sullied or deformed by Death,
That seemed to pity what he could not spare.

But O, the animation in the mien

Of those two Boys! Yea, in the very words
With which the young Narrator was inspired,
When, as our questions led, he told at large
Of that day's prowess! Him might I compare,
His look, tones, gestures, eager eloquence,
To a bold Brook that splits for better speed,
And, at the self-same moment, works its way
Through many channels, ever and anon
Parted and reunited: his Compeer

To the still Lake, whose stillness is to sight
As beautiful, as grateful to the mind.

But to what object shall the lovely Girl
Be likened? She whose countenance and air
Unite the graceful qualities of both.

Even as she shares the pride and joy of both.

My gray-haired Friend was moved; his vivid eye

Glistened with tenderness; his Mind, I knew,
Was full; and had, I doubted not, returned,
Upon this impulse, to the theme erewhile

Abruptly broken off. The ruddy Boys

Withdrew, on summons to their well-earned meal;

And He (to whom all tongues resigned their rights

With willingness, to whom the general ear

Listened with readier patience than to strain

Of music, lute or harp,

a long delight

That ceased not when his voice had ceased) as One
Who from truth's central point serenely views
The compass of his argument — began
Mildly, and with a clear and steady tone.

Wanderer asserts that an active principle pervades the Universe - Its noblest seat, the human soul- How lively this principle is in Childhood - Hence the delight in Old Age of looking back upon Childhood -The dignity, powers, and privileges of Age asserted-These not to be looked for generally but under a just government- Right of a human Creature to be exempt from being considered as a mere Instrument -- Vicious inclinations are best kept under by giving good ones an opportunity to show themselves-The condition of multitudes deplored, from want of due respect to this truth on the part of their superiors in society. Former conversation recurred to, and the Wanderer's opinion set in a clearer light-Genuine principles of equality-Truth placed within reach of the humblest- Happy state of the two Boys again adverted to Earnest wish expressed for a System of National Education established universally by Government -Glorious effects of this foretold-Wanderer breaks off - Walk to the Lake Embark - Description of scenery and amusements — Grand spectacle from the side of a hill - Address of Priest to the Supreme Being In the course of which he contrasts with ancient Barbarism the present appearance of the scene before him- The change ascribed to Christianity - Apostrophe to his Flock, living and dead-Gratitude to the Almighty- Return over the LakeParting with the Solitary- Under what circumstances.