415 Of forward youth-that scruples not to solve 420 A child of earth, I rested, in that stage Of my past course to which these thoughts advert, 425 Upon earth's native energies; forgetting survive To speak the word-with rapture! Nature's boon, Life's genuine inspiration, happiness 435 Above what rules can teach, or fancy feign; men, More solid than the gilded clouds of heaven? What joy more lasting than a vernal flower? None! 'tis the general plaint of human kind 440 In solitude: and mutually addressed From each to all, for wisdom's sake:-This truth The priest announces from his holy seat: And, crowned with garlands in the summer grove, 445 The poet fits it to his pensive lyre. And slighted Hope will be avenged; and, when This was the bitter language of the heart: But, while he spake, look, gesture, tone of voice, Though discomposed and vehement, were such As skill and graceful nature might suggest 465 To a proficient of the tragic scene Standing before the multitude, beset With dark events. Desirous to divert Or stem the current of the speaker's thoughts, We signified a wish to leave that place Of stillness and close privacy, a nook That seemed for self-examination made; Or, for confession, in the sinner's need, Hidden from all men's view. To our attempt He yielded not; but, pointing to a slope Of mossy turf defended from the sun, And on that couch inviting us to rest, Full on that tender-hearted Man he turned 470 475 A serious eye, and his speech thus renewed. “You never saw, your eyes did never look 480 On the bright form of Her whom once I loved :Her silver voice was heard upon the earth, A sound unknown to you; else, honoured Friend! Your heart had borne a pitiable share 490 Of what I suffered, when I wept that loss, 485 Too much of frailty hath already dropped; 495 You know, Revered Compatriot-and to you, kind Sir, (Not to be deemed a stranger, as you come Following the guidance of these welcome feet 500 To our secluded vale) it may be told— That my demerits did not sue in vain To One on whose mild radiance many gazed With hope, and all with pleasure. This fair Bride 505 In the devotedness of youthful love, 510 515 Than did to her due honour, and to me See, rooted in the earth, her kindly bed, 520 The unendangered myrtle, decked with flowers, Before the threshold stands to welcome us! While, in the flowering myrtle's neighbourhood, 525 Not overlooked but courting no regard, Wild were the walks upon those lonely Track leading into track; how marked, how worn Into bright verdure, between fern and gorse, On their smooth surface, evidence was none: 535 Where youth's ambitious feet might move at large; Whence, unmolested wanderers, we beheld 540 The shining giver of the day diffuse His brightness o'er a tract of sea and land Gay as our spirits, free as our desires; As our enjoyments, boundless.-From those heights We dropped, at pleasure, into sylvan combs; 545 Where harbours of impenetrable shade, And mossy seats, detained us side by side, With hearts at ease, and knowledge in our hearts That all the grove and all the day was ours.' O happy time! still happier was at hand; 550 For Nature called my Partner to resign Her share in the pure freedom of that life, Enjoyed by us in common. To my hope, To my heart's wish, my tender Mate became The thankful captive of maternal bonds; And those wild paths were left to me alone. There could I meditate on follies past; And, like a weary voyager escaped 555 From risk and hardship, inwardly retrace guilt, 560 And self-indulgence-without shame pursued. There, undisturbed, could think of and could thank Her whose submissive spirit was to me The reach of sight; from whom, as from their source, Proceed all visible ministers of good 570 That walk the earth--Father of heaven and earth, |