A like glad impulse; and so moves the man 'Mid all his apprehensions, cares, and fears,- Or so he ought to move. Ah! why in age Do we revert so fondly to the walks
Of childhood-but that there the Soul discerns The dear memorial footsteps unimpaired Of her own native vigour; thence can hear Reverberations; and a choral song, Commingling with the incense that ascends, Undaunted, toward the imperishable heavens, From her own lonely altar?
Do not think That good and wise ever will be allowed, Though strength decay, to breathe in such estate As shall divide them wholly from the stir Of hopeful nature. Rightly is it said That Man descends into the VALE of years; Yet have I thought that we might also speak, And not presumptuously, I trust, of Age, As of a final EMINENCE; though bare In aspect and forbidding, yet a point On which 'tis not impossible to sit
In awful sovereignty; a place of power, A throne, that may be likened unto his, Who, in some placid day of summer, looks Down from a mountain-top,-say one of those High peaks, that bound the vale where now we
Faint, and diminished to the gazing eye, Forest and field, and hill and dale appear, With all the shapes over their surface spread: But, while the gross and visible frame of things Relinquishes its hold upon the sense, Yea almost on the Mind herself, and seems All unsubstantialized, how loud the voice Of waters, with invigorated peal From the full river in the vale below, Ascending! For on that superior height Who sits, is disencumbered from the press Of near obstructions, and is privileged To breathe in solitude, above the host Of ever-humming insects, 'mid thin air
That suits not them. The murmur of the leaves Many and idle, visits not his ear:
This he is freed from, and from thousand notes (Not less unceasing, not less vain than these,) By which the finer passages of sense Are occupied; and the Soul, that would incline To listen, is prevented or deterred.
And may it not be hoped, that, placed by age In like removal, tranquil though severe, We are not so removed for utter loss; But for some favour, suited to our need?
What more than that the severing should confer Fresh power to commune with the invisible world, And hear the mighty stream of tendency Uttering, for elevation of our thought,
A clear sonorous voice, inaudible
To the vast multitude; whose doom it is To run the giddy round of vain delight, Or fret and labour on the Plain below.
But, if to such sublime ascent the hopes Of Man may rise, as to a welcome close And termination of his mortal course; Them only can such hope inspire whose minds Have not been starved by absolute neglect; Nor bodies crushed by unremitting toil; To whom kind Nature, therefore, may afford Proof of the sacred love she bears for all; Whose birthright Reason, therefore, may ensure. For me, consulting what I feel within
In times when most existence with herself
Is satisfied, I cannot but believe,
That, far as kindly Nature hath free scope And Reason's sway predominates; even so far, Country, society, and time itself,
That saps the individual's bodily frame, And lays the generations low in dust, Do, by the almighty Ruler's grace, partake Of one maternal spirit, bringing forth And cherishing with ever-constant love, That tires not, nor betrays. Our life is turned Out of her course, wherever man is made An offering, or a sacrifice, a tool Or implement, a passive thing employed As a brute mean, without acknowledgment Of common right or interest in the end; Used or abused, as selfishness may prompt. Say, what can follow for a rational soul Perverted thus, but weakness in all good, And strength in evil? Hence an after-call For chastisement, and custody, and bonds, And oft-times Death, avenger of the past, And the sole guardian in whose hands we dare Entrust the future.-Not for these sad issues Was Man created; but to obey the law Of life, and hope, and action. And 'tis known That when we stand upon our native soil, Unelbowed by such objects as oppress
Our active powers, those powers themselves become Strong to subvert our noxious qualities: They sweep distemper from the busy day, And make the chalice of the big round year Run o'er with gladness; whence the Being moves In beauty through the world; and all who see Bless him, rejoicing in his neighbourhood."
66 Then," ," said the Solitary, "by what force Of language shall a feeling heart express Her sorrow for that multitude in whom
We look for health from seeds that have been sown In sickness, and for increase in a power That works but by extinction? On themselves They cannot lean, nor turn to their own hearts To know what they must do; their wisdom is To look into the eyes of others, thence To be instructed what they must avoid : Or rather, let us say, how least observed, How with most quiet and most silent death, With the least taint and injury to the air The oppressor breathes, their human form divine, And their immortal soul, may waste away."
The Sage rejoined, "I thank you—you have spared
My voice the utterance of a keen regret, A wide compassion which with you I share. When, heretofore, I placed before your sight A Little-one, subjected to the arts Of modern ingenuity, and made
The senseless member of a vast machine, Serving as doth a spindle or a wheel; Think not, that, pitying him, I could forget The rustic Boy, who walks the fields, untaught; The slave of ignorance, and oft of want, And miserable hunger. Much, too much, Of this unhappy lot, in early youth We both have witnessed, lot which I myself Shared, though in mild and merciful degree: Yet was the mind to hinderances exposed, Through which I struggled, not without distress And sometimes injury, like a lamb enthralled 'Mid thorns and brambles; or a bird that breaks Through a strong net, and mounts upon the wind, Though with her plumes impaired. If they, whose souls
Should open while they range the richer fields Of merry England, are obstructed less By indigence, their ignorance is not less, Nor less to be deplored. For who can doubt That tens of thousands at this day exist Such as the boy you painted, lineal heirs Of those who once were vassals of her soil, Following its fortunes like the beasts or trees Which it sustained. But no one takes delight In this oppression; none are proud of it; It bears no sounding name, nor ever bore; A standing grievance, an indigenous vice Of every country under heaven. My thoughts Were turned to evils that are new and chosen, A bondage lurking under shape of good,-
Arts, in themselves beneficent and kind, But all too fondly followed and too far ;- To victims, which the merciful can see Nor think that they are victims-turned to wrongs, By women, who have children of their own, Beheld without compassion, yea with praise!
spake of mischief by the wise diffused With gladness, thinking that the more it spreads The healthier, the securer, we become; Delusion which a moment may destroy! Lastly, I mourned for those whom I had seen Corrupted and cast down, on favoured ground, Where circumstance and nature had coinbined To shelter innocence, and cherish love;
Who, but for this intrusion, would have lived, Possessed of health, and strength, and peace of mind; Thus would have lived, or never have been born.
Alas! what differs more than man from man! And whence that difference? whence but from himself?
For see the universal Race endowed With the same upright form!--The sun is fixed, And the infinite magnificence of heaven Fixed, within reach of every human eye; The sleepless ocean murmurs for all ears; The vernal field infuses fresh delight
Into all hearts. Throughout the world of sense, Even as an object is sublime or fair, That object is laid open to the view Without reserve or veil; and as a power Is salutary, or an influence sweet, Are each and all enabled to perceive That power, that influence, by impartial law. Gifts nobler are vouchsafed alike to all; Reason, and, with that reason, smiles and tears; Imagination, freedom in the will;
Conscience to guide and check; and death to be Foretasted, immortality conceived
By all, a blissful immortality,
To them whose holiness on earth shall make The Spirit capable of heaven, assured. Strange, then, nor less than monstrous, might be deemed
The failure, if the Almighty, to this point Liberal and undistinguishing, should hide The excellence of moral qualities
From common understanding; leaving truth And virtue, difficult, abstruse, and dark; Hard to be won, and only by a few;
Strange, should He deal herein with nice respects, And frustrate all the rest! Believe it not: The primal duties shine aloft-like stars; The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless,
Are scattered at the feet of Man-like flowers. The generous inclination, the just rule, Kind wishes, and good actions, and pure thoughts- No mystery is here! Here is no boon
For high-yet not for low; for proudly graced― Yet not for meek of heart. The smoke ascends To heaven as lightly from the cottage-hearth As from the haughtiest palace. He, whose soul Ponders this true equality, may walk The fields of earth with gratitude and hope; Yet, in that meditation, will he find Motive to sadder grief, as we have found; Lamenting ancient virtues overthrown, And for the injustice grieving, that hath made So wide a difference between man and man.
Then let us rather fix our gladdened thoughts Upon the brighter scene. How blest that pair Of blooming Boys (whom we beheld even now) Blest in their several and their common lot! A few short hours of each returning day The thriving prisoners of their village-school: And thence let loose, to seek their pleasant homes Or range the grassy lawn in vacancy; To breathe and to be happy, run and shout Idle, but no delay, no harm, no loss; For every genial power of heaven and earth, Through all the seasons of the changeful year, Obsequiously doth take upon herself To labour for them; bringing each in turn The tribute of enjoyment, knowledge, health, Beauty, or strength! Such privilege is theirs, Granted alike in the outset of their course To both; and, if that partnership must cease, I grieve not," to the Pastor here he turned, "Much as I glory in that child of yours, Repine not for his cottage-comrade, whom Belike no higher destiny awaits
Than the old hereditary wish fulfilled; The wish for liberty to live-content
Some weighty matter; then, with fervent voice And an impassioned majesty, exclaimed-
"O for the coming of that glorious time When, prizing knowledge as her noblest wealth And best protection, this imperial Realm, While she exacts allegiance, shall admit An obligation, on her part, to teach Them who are born to serve her and obey; Binding herself by statute to secure
For all the children whom her soil maintains The rudiments of letters, and inform The mind with moral and religious truth, Both understood and practised,-so that none, However destitute, be left to droop
By timely culture unsustained; or run Into a wild disorder; or be forced
To drudge through a weary life without the help Of intellectual implements and tools; A savage horde among the civilised, A servile band among the lordly free! This sacred right, the lisping babe proclaims To be inherent in him, by Heaven's will, For the protection of his innocence; And the rude boy-who, having overpast The sinless age, by conscience is enrolled, Yet mutinously knits his angry brow, And lifts his wilful hand on mischief bent, Or turns the godlike faculty of speech To impious use -by process indirect Declares his due, while he makes known his need. -This sacred right is fruitlessly announced, This universal plea in vain addressed, To eyes and ears of parents who themselves Did, in the time of their necessity,
Urge it in vain; and, therefore, like a prayer That from the humblest floor ascends to heaven, It mounts to reach the State's parental ear; Who, if indeed she own a mother's heart, And be not most unfeelingly devoid
With what Heaven grants, and die-in peace of Of gratitude to Providence, will grant
Within the bosom of his native vale. At least, whatever fate the noon of life Reserves for either, sure it is that both Have been permitted to enjoy the dawn; Whether regarded as a jocund time, That in itself may terminate, or lead In course of nature to a sober eve.
Both have been fairly dealt with; looking back They will allow that justice has in them Been shown, alike to body and to mind."
He paused, as if revolving in his soul
The unquestionable good-which, England, safe From interference of external force, May grant at leisure; without risk incurred That what in wisdom for herself she doth, Others shall e'er be able to undo.
Look! and behold, from Calpe's sunburnt cliffs To the flat margin of the Baltic sea, Long-reverenced titles cast away as weeds; Laws overturned; and territory split, Like fields of ice rent by the polar wind, And forced to join in less obnoxious shapes Which, ere they gain consistence, by a gust
Of the same breath are shattered and destroyed. Meantime the sovereignty of these fair Isles Remains entire and indivisible:
And, if that ignorance were removed, which breeds Within the compass of their several shores Dark discontent, or loud commotion, each Might still preserve the beautiful repose Of heavenly bodies shining in their spheres. -The discipline of slavery is unknown Among us, hence the more do we require The discipline of virtue; order else Cannot subsist, nor confidence, nor peace. Thus, duties rising out of good possest And prudent caution needful to avert Impending evil, equally require
Expect these mighty issues: from the pains And faithful care of unambitious schools Instructing simple childhood's ready ear: Thence look for these magnificent results! -Vast the circumference of hope and ye Are at its centre, British Lawgivers;
Ah! sleep not there in shame! Shall Wisdom's voice From out the bosom of these troubled times Repeat the dictates of her calmer mind, And shall the venerable halls ye fill Refuse to echo the sublime decree? Trust not to partial care a general good; Transfer not to futurity a work
Of urgent need.-Your Country must complete Her glorious destiny. Begin even now,
That the whole people should be taught and trained. Now, when oppression, like the Egyptian plague
So shall licentiousness and black resolve
Be rooted out, and virtuous habits take Their place; and genuine piety descend, Like an inheritance, from age to age.
With such foundations laid, avaunt the fear Of numbers crowded on their native soil, To the prevention of all healthful growth Through mutual injury! Rather in the law Of increase and the mandate from above Rejoice!—and ye have special cause for joy. -For, as the element of air affords An easy passage to the industrious bees Fraught with their burthens; and a way as smooth For those ordained to take their sounding flight From the thronged hive, and settle where they list In fresh abodes-their labour to renew; So the wide waters, open to the power, The will, the instincts, and appointed needs Of Britain, do invite her to cast off
Her swarms, and in succession send them forth; Bound to establish new communities On every shore whose aspect favours hope Or bold adventure; promising to skill And perseverance their deserved reward.
Yes," he continued, kindling as he spake, "Change wide, and deep, and silently performed, This Land shall witness; and as days roll on, Earth's universal frame shall feel the effect; Even till the smallest habitable rock, Beaten by lonely billows, hear the songs
Of humanised society; and bloom
Of darkness, stretched o'er guilty Europe, makes The brightness more conspicuous that invests The happy Island where ye think and act; Now, when destruction is a prime pursuit, Show to the wretched nations for what end The powers of civil polity were given."
Abruptly here, but with a graceful air, The Sage broke off. No sooner had he ceased Than, looking forth, the gentle Lady said, "Behold the shades of afternoon have fallen Upon this flowery slope; and see-beyond- The silvery lake is streaked with placid blue; As if preparing for the peace of evening. How temptingly the landscape shines! The air Breathes invitation; easy is the walk
To the lake's margin, where a boat lies moored Under a sheltering tree."-Upon this hint We rose together: all were pleased; but most The beauteous girl, whose cheek was flushed with joy. Light as a sunbeam glides along the hills She vanished-eager to impart the scheme To her loved brother and his shy compeer. -Now was there bustle in the Vicar's house And earnest preparation.-Forth we went, And down the vale along the streamlet's edge Pursued our way, a broken company, Mute or conversing, single or in pairs. Thus having reached a bridge, that overarched The hasty rivulet where it lay becalmed In a deep pool, by happy chance we saw A two-fold image; on a grassy bank A snow-white ram, and in the crystal flood
With civil arts, that shall breathe forth their Another and the same! Most beautiful,
A grateful tribute to all-ruling Heaven. From culture, unexclusively bestowed On Albion's noble Race in freedom born,
On the green turf, with his imperial front Shaggy and bold, and wreathed horns super, The breathing creature stood; as beautiful, Beneath him, shewed his shadowy counterpart.
Each had his glowing mountains, each his sky, And each seemed centre of his own fair world: Antipodes unconscious of each other,
Yet, in partition, with their several spheres, Blended in perfect stillness, to our sight!
"Ah! what a pity were it to disperse, Or to disturb, so fair a spectacle, And yet a breath can do it!"
These few words The Lady whispered, while we stood and gazed Gathered together, all in still delight, Not without awe. Thence passing on, she said In like low voice to my particular ear, "I love to hear that eloquent old Man Pour forth his meditations, and descant On human life from infancy to age. How pure his spirit! in what vivid hues
His mind gives back the various forms of things, Caught in their fairest, happiest, attitude! While he is speaking, I have power to see Even as he sees; but when his voice hath ceased, Then, with a sigh, sometimes I feel, as now, That combinations so serene and bright Cannot be lasting in a world like ours, Whose highest beauty, beautiful as it is, Like that reflected in yon quiet pool,
Seems but a fleeting sun-beam's gift, whose peace The sufferance only of a breath of air!"
More had she said-but sportive shouts were heard Sent from the jocund hearts of those two Boys, Who, bearing each a basket on his arm, Down the green field came tripping after us. With caution we embarked; and now the pair For prouder service were addrest; but each, Wishful to leave an opening for my choice, Dropped the light oar his eager hand had seized. Thanks given for that becoming courtesy, Their place I took-and for a grateful office Pregnant with recollections of the time When, on thy bosom, spacious Windermere! A Youth, I practised this delightful art; Tossed on the waves alone, or 'mid a crew Of joyous comrades. Soon as the reedy marge Was cleared, I dipped, with arms accordant, oars Free from obstruction; and the boat advanced Through crystal water, smoothly as a hawk, That, disentangled from the shady boughs Of some thick wood, her place of covert, cleaves With correspondent wings the abyss of air.
"Observe," the Vicar said, "yon rocky isle With birch-trees fringed; my hand shall guide
While thitherward we shape our course; or while We seek that other, on the western shore; Where the bare columns of those lofty firs, Supporting gracefully a massy dome
Of sombre foliage, seem to imitate
A Grecian temple rising from the Deep."
"Turn where we may," said I, "we cannot err In this delicious region."-Cultured slopes, Wild tracts of forest-ground, and scattered groves, And mountains bare, or clothed with ancient woods, Surrounded us; and, as we held our way Along the level of the glassy flood,
They ceased not to surround us; change of place, From kindred features diversely combined, Producing change of beauty ever new. -Ah! that such beauty, varying in the light Of living nature, cannot be portrayed By words, nor by the pencil's silent skill; But is the property of him alone Who hath beheld it, noted it with care, And in his mind recorded it with love! Suffice it, therefore, if the rural Muse Vouchsafe sweet influence, while her Poet speaks Of trivial occupations well devised, And unsought pleasures springing up by chance; As if some friendly Genius had ordained That, as the day thus far had been enriched By acquisition of sincere delight,
The same should be continued to its close.
One spirit animating old and young, A gipsy-fire we kindled on the shore
Of the fair Isle with birch-trees fringed-and there, Merrily seated in a ring, partook
A choice repast-served by our young companions With rival earnestness and kindred glee. Launched from our hands the smooth stone
With shouts we raised the echoes ;-stiller sounds The lovely Girl supplied-a simple song,
Whose low tones reached not to the distant rocks To be repeated thence, but gently sank Into our hearts; and charmed the peaceful flood. Rapaciously we gathered flowery spoils From land and water; lilies of each hue- Golden and white, that float upon the waves, And court the wind; and leaves of that shy plant, (Her flowers were shed) the lily of the vale, That loves the ground, and from the sun withholds Her pensive beauty; from the breeze her sweets.
Such product, and such pastime, did the place And season yield; but, as we re-embarked,
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