that poor few Are opening round her; those of middle age, And gentle Nature grieved, that one should die ;'* Observed the liberating stroke—and blessed. 965 970 976 "And whence that tribute? wherefore these regards? † Not from the naked Heart alone of Man (Though claiming high 2 distinction upon earth 980 985 From the pure soul, the soul sublime and pure ; The one by which a creature, whom his sins * In a note to the edition of 1814, Wordsworth added to the above quotation Southey's Retrospect. See p. 388 of this volume. In 1814 Wordsworth added to this line a prefatory note to his Essay upon Epitaphs, and the Essay itself, for which see The Prose Works. Have rendered prone, can upward 1 look to heaven; 990 Whispering those truths in stillness, which the WORD, Of these benign observances prevail : 995 Thus are they born, thus fostered, thus 2 maintained ; Embodied and established these high truths The being one, and one the element. There lies the channel, and original bed, 1000 From the beginning, hollowed out and scooped 1005 For Man's affections-else betrayed and lost, And swallowed up 'mid deserts infinite! This is the genuine course, the aim, and end Divine or human; exercised in pain, In strife, in tribulation; and ordained, Through shades and silent rest, to endless joy."* 1 1814. ΙΟΙΟ 1015 2 1836. upward can and C. 1814. * On the 1st of August 1849, during the last year of the poet's life, he transcribed the five lines beginning Life, I repeat, is energy of love on a presentation copy of his works, sent to Thomas Gough. It was one of the last things he ever wrote.-ED. Book Sixth THE CHURCH-YARD AMONG THE MOUNTAINS ARGUMENT Poet's Address to the State and Church of England-The Pastor not inferior to the ancient Worthies of the Church-He begins his Narratives with an instance of unrequited Love -Anguish of mind subdued, and how-The lonely Miner -An instance of perseverance-Which leads by contrast to an example of abused talents, irresolution, and weaknessSolitary, applying this covertly to his own case, asks for an instance of some Stranger, whose dispositions may have led him to end his days here-Pastor, in answer, gives an account of the harmonising influence of Solitude upon two men of opposite principles, who had encountered agitations in public life-The rule by which Peace may be obtained expressed, and where-Solitary hints at an overpowering Fatality-Answer of the Pastor-What subjects he will exclude from his Narratives-Conversation upon this— Instance of an unamiable character, a Female, and why given-Contrasted with this, a meek sufferer, from unguarded and betrayed love-Instance of heavier guilt, and its consequences to the Offender-With this instance of a Marriage Contract broken is contrasted one of a Widower, evidencing his faithful affection towards his deceased wife by his care of their female Children.1 HAIL to the crown by Freedom shaped-to gird Made to the spiritual fabric of her Church; 1 1827. Second Marriage of a Widower prudential and happy. 5 Founded in truth; by blood of Martyrdom And O, ye swelling hills, and spacious plains! Spare them, they shall continue to bestow, ΙΟ 15 20 25 30 35 * Note Wordsworth's love for the Established Church of England, and compare the Ecclesiastical Sonnets.-ED. + See Wordsworth's note, p. 389.-ED. (Depraved, and ever prone to fill the mind 1 An air and mien of dignified pursuit ; The Poet, fostering for his native land And by ambitious 2 longings undisturbed; Cause should recur, which righteous Heaven avert ! 40 45 50 55 61 65 And did, thereafter, bathe their hands in fire,* |