To seek a hiding-place beyond the seas. There is a comfort in the strength of love; 450 455 460 That many and many a day he thither went, 465 And never lifted up a single stone. There, by the Sheepfold, sometimes was he seen Sitting alone, or with his faithful Dog, Then old, beside him, lying at his feet. The length of full seven years, from time to time, 470 He at the building of this Sheepfold wrought, And left the work unfinished when he died. Three years, or little more, did Isabel Survive her Husband: at her death the estate Was sold, and went into a stranger's hand. 475 The Cottage which was named the EVENING Star Is gone the ploughshare has been through the ground On which it stood; great changes have been wrought In all the neighbourhood: - yet the oak is left That grew beside their door; and the remains 480 Of the unfinished Sheepfold may be seen Beside the boisterous brook of Greenhead Ghyll. FRAGMENT FROM THE RECLUSE. BOOK I. ON Man, on Nature, and on Human Life, Musing in solitude, I oft perceive Fair trains of imagery before me rise, Accompanied by feelings of delight Pure, or with no unpleasing sadness mixed; 1800. 5 And dear remembrances, whose presence soothes The good and evil of our mortal state. To these emotions, whencesoe'er they come, Whether from breath of outward circumstance, Or from the Soul- an impulse to herself I would give utterance in numerous verse. ee fit audience let me find though few!" So prayed, more gaining than he asked, the Bard In holiest mood. Urania, I shall need IO 15 20 25 Thy guidance, or a greater Muse, if such Jehovah with his thunder, and the choir Of shouting Angels, and the empyreal thrones — I pass them unalarmed. Not Chaos, not The darkest pit of lowest Erebus, Nor aught of blinder vacancy, scooped out By help of dreams — can breed such fear and awe As falls upon us often when we look Into our Minds, into the Mind of Man My haunt, and the main region of my song. Surpassing the most fair ideal Forms Which craft of delicate Spirits hath composed 45 An hourly neighbour. Paradise, and groves Sought in the Atlantic Main why should they be Or a mere fiction of what never was? I, long before the blissful hour arrives, 55 50 40 35 330 Would I arouse the sensual from their sleep (And the progressive powers perhaps no less : Theme this but little heard of among men Can it be called) which they with blended might -Such grateful haunts foregoing, if I oft Must turn elsewhere to travel near the tribes Within the walls of cities—may these sounds Of mighty Poets; upon me bestow A gift of genuine insight; that my Song Of those mutations that extend their sway 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 I mix more lowly matter; with the thing This Vision; when and where, and how he lived; Be not this labour useless. If such theme May sort with highest objects, then-dread Power! Express the image of a better time, More wise desires, and simpler manners; 95 100 nurse all pure thoughts 105 Be with me; so shall thy unfailing love 1800 (?). THE SPARROW'S NEST. BEHOLD, within the leafy shade, The Sparrow's dwelling, which, hard by She looked at it and seemed to fear it; |