Ranged side by side, and lessening by degrees Upon the board he lays the sky-blue stone (As doth his comrade too) a look of pride: But O the animation in the mien Of those two boys! yea, in the very words, But to what object shall the lovely Girl she whose countenance and air Be likened; Unite the graceful qualities of both, Even as she shares the pride and joy of both? My gray-haired Friend was moved; his vivideye 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. ARGUMENT. 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. -The condition of multitudes deplored. - Former conversation recurred to, and the Wanderer's opinions set in a clearer light. Truth placed within reach of the humblest. — Equality. 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. - Walk to the Lake. - 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 Lake. Parting with the Solitary. - Under what circumstances. DISCOURSE OF THE WANDERER, AND AN EVENING VISIT TO THE LAKE. "To every Form of being is assigned," Unfolded still the more, more visible, The more we know; and yet is reverenced least, And least respected in the human Mind, |