ARGUMENT. The Author describes his travels with the Wanderer, whose character is further illustrated.-Morning scene, and view of a Village Wake.-Wanderer's account of a Friend whom he purposes to visit.View, from an eminence, of the Valley which his Friend had chosen for his retreat.-Sound of singing from below. -A funeral procession.-Descent into the Valley. Observations drawn from the Wanderer at sight of a book accidentally discovered in a recess in the Valley. Meeting with the Wanderer's friend, the Solitary.-Wanderer's description of the mode of burial in this mountainous district.-Solitary contrasts with this, that of the individual carried a few minutes before from the cottage.-The cottage entered.-Description of the Solitary's apartment.~ Repast there. View, from the window, of two mountain summits; and the Solitary's description of the companionship they afford him.-Account of the departed inmate of the cottage.-Description of a grand spectacle upon the mountains, with its effect upon the Solitary's mind.-Leave the house. THE SOLITARY. In days of yore how fortunately fared The Minstrel! wandering on from hall to hall, Baronial court or royal; cheered with gifts Munificent, and love, and ladies' praise; Now meeting on his road an armed knight, Now resting with a pilgrim by the side Of a clear brook;-beneath an abbey's roof One evening sumptuously lodged; the next, Humbly in a religious hospital; 5 ΙΟ Or with some merry outlaws of the wood; He His harp, suspended at the traveller's side; 15 His dear companion wheresoe'er he went Opening from land to land an easy way By melody, and by the charm of verse. Yet not the noblest of that honoured Race Drew happier, loftier, more empassioned, thoughts From his long journeyings and eventful life, Than this obscure Itinerant had skill 20 To gather, ranging through the tamer ground Of these our unimaginative days; 26 Both while he trod the earth in humblest guise What wonder, then, if I, whose favourite school 35 40 Hath been the fields, the roads, and rural lanes, 55 60 Heard as the voice of an experienced friend. 65 With his own mind, unable to subdue Impatience through inaptness to perceive General distress in his particular lot; Or cherishing resentment, or in vain Struggling against it; with a soul perplexed, 70 And finding in herself no steady power To draw the line of comfort that divides Calamity, the chastisement of Heaven, From the injustice of our brother men— To him appeal was made as to a judge; Who, with an understanding heart, allayed The perturbation; listened to the plea; Resolved the dubious point; and sentence gave So grounded, so applied, that it was heard With softened spirit, even when it condemned. 75 79 Such intercourse I witnessed, while we roved, Now as his choice directed, now as mine; Or both, with equal readiness of will, Our course submitting to the changeful breeze Of accident. But when the rising sun Had three times called us to renew our walk, 85 My Fellow-traveller, with earnest voice, As if the thought were but a moment old, Claimed absolute dominion for the day. We started-and he led me toward the hills, 90 Up through an ample vale, with higher hills Before us, mountains stern and desolate; But, in the majesty of distance, now Set off, and to our ken appearing fair Of aspect, with aerial softness clad, And beautified with morning's purple beams. The wealthy, the luxurious, by the stress 95 |