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,
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.
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