That charm all eyes. So bright, so fair, appear'd | To the still lake, whose stillness is to sight
This goodly matron, shining in the beams

As beautiful, as grateful to the mind. of unexpected pleasure. Soon the board

But to what object shall the lovely girl Was spread, and we partook a plain repast. Be liken'd? She, whose countenance and air

Here, resting in cool shelter, we beguiled Unite the graceful qualities of both, The midday hours with desultory talk ;

E'en as she shares the pride and joy of both. From trivial themes to general argument

My gray-hair'd friend was moved: his vivid eye Passing, as accident or fancy led,

Glisten'd with tenderness; his mind, I knew, Or courtesy prescribed. While question rose Was full; and had, I doubted not, return'a, And answer flow'd, the fetters of reserve

Upon this impulse, to the theme--erewhile Dropping from every mind, the solitary

Abruptly broken off. The ruddy boys Resumed the manners of his happier days; Withdrew, on summons, to their well-earn'd meal; And, in the various conversation, bore

And he, (to whom all tongues resign'd their rights A willing, nay, at times, a forward part:

With willingness, to whom the general ear Yet with the grace of one who in the world Listen'd with readier patience than to strain Had learn'd the art of pleasing, and had now Of music, lute or harp,-a long delight Occasion given him to display his skill,

That ceased not when his voice had ceased,) as ne Upon the steadfast vantage-ground of truth. Who from truth's central point serenely views He gazed with admiration unsuppress'd

The compass of his argument--began
Upon the landscape of the sunbright vale

Mildly, and with a clear and steady tone.
Seen, from the shady room in which we sate,
In soften'd perspective, and more than once
Praised the consummate harmony serene

BOOK IX.
Of gravity and elegance-difl'used
Around the mansion and its whole domain ;

DISCOURSE OF THE WANDERER, AND AN Not, doubtless, without help of female taste

EVENING VISIT TO THE LAKE. And female care. “A blessed lot is yours !"

ARGUMENT. The words escaped his lip with a tender sigh

Wanderer asserts that an active principle pervades the Breathed over them; but suddenly the door

universe. Its noblest seal the human soul How lively Flew open, and a pair of lusty boys

this principle is in childhood. Hence the delight in Appear'd, confusion checking their delight.

old age of looking back upon childhood. The dignity, Not brothers they in feature or attire,

powers, and privilegis of age asserted. These .

be looked for generally but under å just gorunens But fond companions, so I guess’d, in field,

Right of a human creature to be exempt from being And by the river's margin, whence they come,

considered as a mere instrument. Vicious inclinations Anglers elated with unusual spoil.

are best kept under by giving good ones an opprtunity One bears a willow pannier on his back,

to show themselves. The condition of multiudag deThe boy of plainer garb, whose blush survives

plored, from want of lue respect to this truth on the More deeply tinged. Twin might the other be

part of their superiors in society. Former conversation

recurred to, and the wanderer's opinions set in a clearer To that fair girl who from the garden mount

light. Genuine principles of equality. Truth plari Bounded-triumphant entry this for him!

within reach of the humblest. Happy state of the two Between his hands he holds a smooth blue stone, boys again adverted to. Earnest wish exresse for a On whose capacious surface see outspread

system of national education established universally

by government. Glorious effects of this foretold. Wan. Large store of gleaming crimson-spotted trouts;

derer breaks off. Walk to the lake. Einbark. De. Ranged side by side, and lessening by degrees

scription of scenery and amusements. Grand spectacle Up to the dwarf that tops the pinnacle.

from the side of a hill. Allregs of priest to the Supreme Upon the board he lays the sky-blue stone

Being; in the course of which he contrasts with ancient With its rich freight:--their number he proclaims; barbarism the present aprearance of the scene before Tells from what pool the noblest had been dragg'd; 1

him. The change ascribpelto Christianity. Apostrophe

to his flock, living and dead. Gratitude to the Al. And where the very monarch of the brook,

mighty. Return over the lake. Parting with the soli. After long struggle, had escaped at last-

tary. Under what circumstances. Stealing alternately at them and us (As doth his comrade too) a look of pride;

“ To every form of being is assign'd," And, verily, the silent creatures made

Thus calmly spake the venerable sage, A splendid sight, together thus exposed;

“An active principle:-howe'er removed Dead-but not sullied or deform'd by death, From sense and observation, it subsists That seem'd to pity what he could not spare. In all things, in all natures, in the stars But 0, the animation in the mien

Of azure heaven, the unenduring clouds, Oinose two boys! yea, in the very words

In flower and tree, in every pebbly stone With which the young narrator was inspired, That paves the brooks, the stationary rocks, When, as our questions led, he told at large

The moving waters, and th’invisible air.
Of that day's prowess. Him might I compare, Whate'er exists hath properties that spread
His look, tones, gestures, eager eloquence,

Beyond itself, communicating good
To a bold brook that splits for better speed, A simple blessing, or with evil mix'd;
And, at the selfsame moment, works its way Spirit that knows no insulated spot,
Through many channels, ever and anon

No chasm, no solitude; from link to link
Parted and reunited: his compeer

It circulates, the soul of all the worlds.

This is the freedom of the universe;

| In like removal tranquil though severe, Unfolded still the more, more visible,

| We are not so removed for utter loss; The more we know; and yet is reverenced least, But for some favour, suited to our need? And least respected, in the human mind,

What more than that the severing should confer Its most apparent home. The food of hope

Fresh power t'commune with the invisible world, Is meditated action; robb'd of this

And hear the mighty stream of tendency Her sole support, she languishes and dies.

Uttering, for elevation of our thought, We perish also; for we live by hope

A clear sonorous voice, inaudible And by desire; we see by the glad ligbt,

To the vast multitude : whose doom it is And breathe the sweet air of futurity,

To run the giddy round of vain delight, And so we live, or else we have no life.

Or fret and labour on the plain below. To-morrow-nay, perchance this very hour,-- “But, if to such sublime ascent the hopes (For every moment hath its own to-morrow!) Of man may rise, as to a welcome close Those blooming boys, whose hearts are almost sick And termination of his mortal course, With present triumph, will be sure to find

Them only can such hope inspire whose minds A field before them freshen'd with the dew Have not been starved by absolute neglect; Of other expectations ;-in which course

Nor bodies crush'd by unremitting toil; Their happy year spins round. The youth obeys To whom kind nature, therefore, may afford A like glad impulse ; and so moves the man Proof of the sacred love she bears for all; 'Mid all his apprehensions, cares, and fears; Whose birthright reason, therefore, may ensure. Or so he ought to move. Ah! why in age

For me, consulting what I feel within
Do we revert so fondly to the walks

In times when most existence with herself
Of childhood, but that there the soul discerns Is satisfied, I cannot but believe,
The dear memorial footsteps unimpair'd

That, far as kindly nature hath free scope Of her own native vigour, thence can hear And reason's sway predominates, e'en so far, Reverberations, and a choral song,

Country, society, and time itself, Commingling with the incense that ascends

That saps the individual's bodily frame, Undaunted, toward the imperishable heavens, And lays the generations low in dust, From her own lonely altar? Do not think Do, by the Almighty Ruler's grace, partake That good and wise ever will be allow'd,

Of one maternal spirit, bringing forth Though strength decay, to breathe in such estate And cherishing with ever-constant love, As shall divide them wholly from the stir

That tires not, nor betrays. Our life is turn'd Of hopeful nature. Rightly is it said

Out of her course, wherever man is made
That man descends into the vale of years; An offering or a sacrifice, a tool
Yet have I thought that we might also speak, Or implement, a passive thing employ'd
And not presumptuously, I trust, of age,

As a brute mean, without acknowledgment
As of a fica] EMINENCE, though bare

Of common right or interest in the end; In aspect and forbidding, yet a point

Used or abused, as selfishness may prompt. On which 'tis not impossible to sit

Say, what can follow for a rational soul In awful sovereignty-a place of power

Perverted thus, but wcakness in all good, A throne, that may be liken'd unto his,

And strength in evil? Hence an after call Who, in some placid day of summer, looks

For chastisement, and custody, and bonds, Down from a mountain top,--say one of those And ost-times death, avenger of the past, High peaks that bound the vale where now we are, And the sole guardian in whose hands we dare Faint, and diminish'd to the gazing eye,

Intrust the future. Not for these sad issues Forest and field, and bill and dale appear,

Was man created; but t' obey the law With all the shapes upon their surface spread: Of life, and hope, and action. And 'tis known But, while the gross and visible frame of things That when we stand upon our native soil, Relinquishes its hold upon the sense,

Unelbow'd by such objects as oppress Yea almost on the mind herself, and seems Our active powers, those powers themselves become All unsubstantialized, how loud the voice

Strong to subvert our noxious qualities: Of waters, with invigorated peal

They sweep distemper from the busy day, From the full river in the vale below,

And make the chalice of the big round year Ascending! For on that superior height

Run o'er with gladness; whence the being moves Who sits, is disencumber'd from the press

In beauty through the world; and all who see Of near obstructions, and is privileged

Bless him, rejoicing in his neighbourhood.” To breathe in solitude above the host

« Then," said the solitary, "by what force Of ever-humming insects, ʼmid thin air

of language shall a feeling heart express That suits not them. The murmur of the leaves, Her sorrow for that multitude in whom Many and idle, visits not his ear;

We look for health from seeds that have been sowo This he is freed from, and from thousand notes In sickness, and for increase in a power Not less unceasing, not less vain than these, That works but by extinction ? On themselves By which the finer passages of sense

They cannot lean, nor turn to their own hearts Are occupied; and the soul, that would incline To know what they must do: their wisdom i To listen, is prevented or deterr'd.

To look into the eyes of others, thence "And may it not be hoped, that, placed by age (To be instructed what they must avoid :

Or rather, let us say, how least observed,

Fix'd within the reach of every human eye; How with most quiet and most silent death, The sleepless ocean mumurs for all ears; With the least taint and injury to the air

The vernal field infuses fresh delight Th’ oppressor breathes, their human form divine | Into all hearts. Throughout the world of sense, And their immortal soul may waste away.”

E'en as an object is sublime or fair, The sage rejoin'd, “I thank you; you have That object is laid open to the view spared

Without reserve or veil; and as a power My voice the utterance of a keen regret,

Is salutary, or an ipfiuence sweet, A wide compassion which with you I share. Are each and all enabled to perceive When, heretofore, I placed before your sight That power, that influence, by impartial law. A little one, subjected to the arts

Gifts nobler are vouchsafed alike to all; Of modern ingenuity, and made

Reason,-and, with that reason, smiles and tears; The senseless member of a vast machine,

Imagination, freedom in the will, Serving as doth a spindle or a wheel;

Conscience to guide and check; and death to be Think not, that, pitying him, I could forget Foretasted, immortality presumed. The rustic boy, who walks the fields, un taught Strange, then, nor less than monstrous might be The slave of ignorance, and oft of want

deemid And miserable hunger. Much, too much

The failure, if th' Almighty, to this point of this unhappy lot, in early youth

Liberal and undistinguishing, should hide
We both have witness'd, lot which I myself The excellence of moral qualities
Shared, though in mild and merciful degree; From common understanding, leaving truth
Yet was the mind to hinderances exposed,

And virtue difficult, abstruse, and dark; Through which I struggled, not without distress Hard to be won, and only by a few; And sometimes injury, like a lamb enthrall'd Strange, should he deal herein with nice respects, 'Mid thorns and brambles; or a bird that breaks | And frustrate all the rest! Believe it not: Through a strong net, and mounts upon the wind, The primal duties shine aloft, like stars; Though with her plumes impair'd. If they, whose | The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless, souls

Are scatter'd at the feet of man, like flowers; Should open while they range the richer fields The generous inclination, the just rule, of merry England, are obstructed less

Kind wishes, and good actions, and pure thoughts, By indigence, their ignorance is not less,

No mystery is here; no special boon
Nor less to be deplored. For who can doubt For high and not for low, for proudly graced
That tens of thousands at this day exist

And not for meek of heart. The smoke ascends Such as the boy you painted, lineal heirs

To heaven as lightiy from the cottage hearth Of those who once were vassals of her soil,

As from the haughty palace. He, whose soul
Following its fortunes like the beast or trees Ponders this true equality, may walk
Which it sustain'd. But no one takes delight The fields of earth with gratitude and hope ;
In this oppression ; none are proud of it;

Yet, in that meditation, will he find
It bears no sounding name, nor ever bore;. Motive to sadder grief, as we have found,-
A standing grievance, an indigenous vice

Lamenting ancient virtues overthrown,
Of every country under heaven. My thoughts And for th' injustice grieving, that hath made
Were turn'd to evils that are new and chosen, So wide a difference betwixt me and man.
A bondage lurking under shape of good,--

“But let us rather turn our gladden'd thoughts Arts in themselves beneficent and kind,

Upon the brighter scene. How blest the pair But all too fondly follow'd and too far;

of blooming boys (whom we beheld e'en now) To victims, which the merciful can see

Blest in their several and their common lot!
Nor think that they are victims; turn'd to wrongs? | A few short hours of each returning day
By women, who have children of their own, The thriving prisoners of their village school:
Beheld without compassion, yea with praise ! And thence let loose, to seek their pleasant homes
I spake of inischief by the wise diffused

Or range the grassy lawn in vacancy,
With gladness, thinking that the more it spreads To breathe and to be happy, run and shout
The healthier, the securer we become;

Idle ---but no delay, no harm, no loss :
Delusion which a moment may destroy!

For every genial power of heaven and earth, Lastly, I mourn'd for those whom I had seen Though all the seasons of the changeful year, Corrupted and cast down, on favour'd ground, Obsequiously doth take upon herself Where circumstance and nature had combined To labour for them; bringing each in turn To shelter innocence, and cherish love;

The tribute of enjoyment, knowledge, health, Who, but for this intrusion, would have lived, Beauty, or strength! Such privilege is theirs Possess'd of health, and strength, and peace of mind, Granted alike in th' outset of their course Thus would have lived, or never have been born. To both; and, if that partnership must cease,

“Alas! what differs more than map from man! I grieve not,” to the pastor here he turn'd, And whence that difference? whence but from " Much as I glory in that child of yours, himself?

Repine not, for his cottage comrade, whom
For see the universal race endow'd

Belike no higher destiny awaits
With the same upright form! The sun is fix'd, | Than the old hereditary wish fulfillid,
And th’infinite magnificence of heaven,

| The wish for liberty to live, content

With what Heaven grants, and die, in peace of Long-reverenced titles cast away as weeds ; mind,

Laws overturn'd; and territory split, Within the bosom of his native vale.

Like fields of ice rent by the polar wind, At least, whatever fate the noon of life

And forced to join in less obnoxious shapes, Reserves for either, this is sure, that both

Which, ere they gain consistence, by a gust Have been permitted to enjoy the dawn;

Of the same breath are shatter'd and destroy'd. Whether regarded as a jocund time,

Meantime the sovereignty of these fair isles That in itself may terminate, or lead

Remains entire and indivisible : In course of nature to a sober eve.

And, if that ignorance were removed, which breeds Both have been fairly dealt with ; looking back, Within the compass of their several shores They will allow that justice has in them

Dark discontent, or loud commotion, each Been shown, alike to body and to mind."

Might still preserve the beautiful repose
He paused, as if revolving in his soul

Of heavenly bodies shining in their spheres.-
Some weighty matter, then, with fervent voice The discipline of slavery is unknown
And an impassioned majesty, exclaim'd,

Amongst us,-hence the more do we require " () for the coming of that glorious time

The discipline of virtue; order else
When, prizing knowledge as her noblest wealth Cannot subsist, nor confidence, nor peace.
And best protection, this imperial realm,

Thus, duties rising out of good possessid,
While she exacts allegiance, shall admit

And prudent caution needful to avert An obligation, on her part, to teach

Impending evil, equally require Them who are born to serve her and obey ;

That the whole people should be taught and train'd. Binding herself by statute to secure

So shall licentiousness and black resolve For all the children whom her soil maintains Be rooted out, and virtuous habits take The rudiments of letters, and inform

Their place ; and genuine picty descend, The mind with moral and religious truth,

Like an inheritance, from age to age. Both understood and practised, --so that none,

“ With such foundations laid, avaunt the fear However destitute, be left to droop

Of numbers crowded on their native soil, By timely culture unsustain'd, or run

To the prevention of all healthful growth Into a wild disorder ; or be forced

Through mutual injury! Rather in the law To drudge through weary life without the aid Of increase and the mandate from above of intellectual implements and tools ;

Rejoice !-and ye have special cause for joy. A savage horde among the civilized,

For as the element of air affords A servile band among the lordly free!

An easy passage to th' industrious bees This sacred right, the lisping babe proclaims Fraught with their burdens; and a way as smootb To be inherent in him, by Heaven's will,

For those ordain'd to take their sounding flight For the protection of his innocence:

From the throng'd hive, and settle where they list And the rude boy–who having overpast

In fresh abodes, their labour to renew ; The sinless age, by conscience is enroll'd,

So the wide waters, open to the power, Yet inutinously knits his angry brow,

The will, the instincts, and appointed needs Aud lifts his wilful hand on mischief bent,

Of Britain, do invite her to cast off Or turns the godlike faculty of speech

Her swarms, and in succession send them forth; To impious use-by process indirect

Bound to establish new communities Declares his due, while he makes known his need. On every shore whose aspect favours hope This sacred right is fruitlessly announced,

Or bold adventure ; promising to skill This universal plea in vain address’d,

And perseverance their deserved reward. To eyes and ears of parents who themselves Yes," he continued, kindling as he spake, Did, in the time of their necessity,

« Change wide, and deep, and silently perform'd, Urge it in vain ; and, therefore, like a prayer This land shall witness ; and as days roll on, That from the humblest floor ascends to heaven, Earth's universal frame shall feel th' effect, It mounts to reach the state's parental ear; E'en till the smallest habitable rock, Who, if indeed she own a mother's heart,

Beaten by lonely billows, hear the songs And be not most unfeelingly devoid

Of humanized society; and bloom Of gratitude to Providence, will grant

With civil arts, that send their fragrance forth, Th' unquestionable good; which England, safe A grateful tribute to all-ruling Heaven. From interference of external force,

From culture, unexclusively bestow'd
May grant at leisure; without risk incurr'd On Albion's noble race in freedom born,

That what in wisdom for herself she doth, Expect these mighty issues: from the pains
Others shall e'er be able to undo.

And faithful care of unambitious schools “ Look ! and behold, from Calpe's sunburnt cliffs Instructing simple childhood's ready ear: To the flat margin of the Baltic sea,

Thence look for these magnificent results !
Vast the circumference of hope ; and ye

Are at its centre, British lawgivers; The discovery of Dr. Bell affords marvello:is facilities Ah! sleep not there in shame! Shall wisdom's for carrying this into effect; and it is impossible to over

voice rate the benefits which might accrue to humanity from the universal application of this simple engine under an

From out the bosom of these troubled times enlightened and conscientious government.

| Repeat the dictates of her calmer mind,

And shall the venerable halls ye fill

Then, with a sigh, sometimes I feel, as now, Refuse to echo the sublime decree?

That combinations so serene and bright, Trust not to partial care a general good;

Like those reflected in yon quiet pool, Transfer not to futurity a work

Cannot be lasting in a world like ours, Of urgent need. Your country must complete To great and small disturbances exposed." Her glorious destiny. Begin e’en now,

More had she said, but sportive shouts were heard ; Now, when oppression, like th’Egyptian plague Sent from the jocund hearts of those two boys, Of darkness, stretch'd o'er guilty Europe, makes Who, bearing each a basket on his arm, The brightness more conspicuous that invests Down the green field came tripping after us.The happy island where ye think and act;

When we had cautiously embark'd, the pair Now, when destruction is a prime pursuit,

Now for a prouder service were addrest. Show to the wretched nations for what end

But an inexorable law forbade, The powers of civil polity were given !”

And each resign'd the oar which he had seized. Abruptly here, but with a graceful air,

Whereat, with willing hand I undertook The sage broke off. No sooner had he ceased The needful Jabour ; grateful task - to me Than, looking forth, the gentle lady said,

Pregnant with recollections of the time “ Behold the shades of afternoon have fallen When, on thy bosom, spacious Windermere ! Upon this flowery slope ; and see-beyond

A youth, I practised this delightful art; The lake, though bright, is of a placid blue; Toss'd on the waves alone, or 'mid a crew As if preparing for the peace of evening.

Of joyous comrades. Now, the reedy marge How temptingly the landscape shines! The air Clear'd, with a strenuous arm I dipp'd the oar, Breathes invitation ; easy is the walk

Free from obstruction, and the boat advanced To the lake's margin, where a boat lies moor'd Through crystal water smoothly as a hawk, Beneath her sheltering tree.” Upon this hint That, disentangled from the shady boughs We rose together : all were pleased, but most Of some thick wood, her place of covert, cleaves The beauteous girl, whose cheek was flush'd with | With correspondent wings th' abyss of air. joy.

“ Observe," the vicar said, “ yon rocky isle Light as a sunbeam glides along the hills

With birch trees fringed ; my hand shall guide the She vanished, eager to impart the scheme

helm, To her beloved brother and his shy compeer. While thitherward we bend our course; or while Now was there bustle in the vicar's house

We seek that other, on the western shore,-And earnest preparation. Forth we went,

Where the bare columns of those lofty tirs, And down the vale along the streamlet's edge Supporting gracefully a massy dome Pursued our way, a broken company,

Of sombre foliage, seem to imitate Mute or conversing, single or in pairs.

A Grecian temple rising from the deep.” Thus having reach'd a bridge, that overarch'd

" Turn where we may," said I, “ we cannot err The hasty rivulet where it lay becalm’d

In this delicious region.” Cultured slopes, In a deep pool, by happy chance we saw

Wiid tracts of forest ground, and scatter'd groves, A twofold image ; on a grassy bank

And mountains bare or clothed with ancient woods A snow-white ram, and in the crystal food

Surrounded us; and, as we held our way Another and the same! Most beautiful,

Along the level of the glassy food, On the green turf, with his imperial front

They ceased not to surround us : change of place,
Shaggy and bold, and wreathed horns superb, From kindred features diversely combined,
The breathing creature stood; as beautiful, Producing change of beauty ever new.
Beneath him, show'd his shadowy counterpart. Ah! that such beauty, varying in the light
Each had his glowing mountains, cach his sky, Of living nature, cannot be portray'd
And each seemd centre of his own fair world : By words, nor by the pencil's silent skill;
Antipodes unconscious of each other,

But is the property of him alone
Yet, in partition, with their several spheres, Who hath beheld it, noted it with care,
Blended in perfect stillness, to our sight!

And in his mind recorded it with love! “Ah! what a pity were it to disperse,

Suffice it, therefore, if the rural muse Or to disturb, so sair a spectacle ;

Vouchsafe sweet influence, while her poet speaks And yet a breath can do it!”

Of trivial occupations well devised,

These few words And unsought pleasures springing up by chance ;
The lady whisper'd, while we stood and gazed As if some friendly genius had ordain'd
Gather'd together, all, in still delight,

That, as the day thus far had been enrich'd
Not without awe. Thence passing on, she said By acquisition of sincere delight,
In like low voice to my particular ear,

The same should be continued to its close. “ I love to hear that eloquent old man

One spirit animating old and young, Pour forth his meditations, and descant

A gipsy fire we kindled on the shore On human life from infancy to age.

of the fair isle with birch trees fringed; and thero How pure his spirit! in what vivid hues

Merrily seated in a ring, partook His mind gives back the various forms of things, The beverage drawn from China's fragrant herb. Caught in their fairest, happiest attitude !

Launch'd from our hand, the smootb stone skimm'. While he is speaking, I have power to see

the lake; E'en as he sees; but when his voice hath ceased, I With shouts we roused the echoes : stiller sounds