The Excursion - Book Second - The Solitary Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFGHIJKALMFNOPQR STUDVWQ XYZA2VEB2C2D2E2F2G2H 2I2J2K2L2M2BBN2O2P2K 2Q2R2ZS2T2U2V2W2X2Y2 Z2A3B3C3U2N2D3E3HY2F 3K2G3H3I3J3K3O2L3 L3M3TN3K2P2A3L3L3O3O 3L3P3L2L3Q3 R3S3T3DVN3L3L3BU3L2R V3W3 X3Q3Y3RL3Z3L3A4L3B4C 4K3D4L3E4L3L3K3L3N3J 2F4L3DL3L3F3 E4G4H4B4I4QL3L3L3QL3 L3QL3L3K3L3L3QL3J4K4 L2K3J3K3Q K3H3L3L3K3QL3L4L3L3M 4N4L3O4Y2L3QL3L3P4L3 QV3Y2L3K3O4 L3Q4L3R4L3K3S4T4T4L3 T4L3L3QL3L3L3QT4L3P3 L3U4QC2L3G3V4W4L3L3L 3L3L3T4QP3 L3X4QY4KBL3QQZ4QT4M3 L3T4V4E3L3KL3W4L3QL3 L3L3QXL3L3T4L3L3J4Q L3L3L3QQL3P3QL3L3L3L 3T4QG3QQL4L3O4W4L3K3 L3C2L3L3 L3T4L3L3L3L3K3K2G3L3 QL3L3R4QQQL3L3L3L3 QQO4BQL3QE3QL3L3L3L3 QL3QQK2T4K4E4QQE3T4Q QQ T4QL3L3QT4E4K3QL3T4Q L3L3T4QL3K3E3 L3L3L3QL3L3T4QV3 QL3 QL3L3L3L3G3L3L3B4QL3 QQL3L3 L3B4L3L3QT4L3L3L3QB4 QBL3BQL3L3T4QQL3E4K3 L3L3QL3D2QT4QL3QL3E4 E4L3B4T4E4C2QQQL3QB4 L3L3B4L3L3 L3QKQE4T4L3L3L3QT4 L3QL3L3T4QK3L3L3L3T4 L3E4C2L3E4L3T4L3L3L3 B4E4 L3L3L3QL3L3QQK3QT4QK 3QB4K3L3E4E4 L3B4L3QP3QQT4QB4K3L3 L3L3L3M4L3L3B4B4L3L3 L3L3IL3QKE4QB4B4L3QQ L3W4L3T4K3L3L3QR4T4E 4B4L3L3QBQL3L3E4K3L3 L3L3QL3QL3E4L3L3K3L3 L3K3L3QL3QL3 L3T4B4E4L3B4T4L3E4T4 QL3QL3L3QL3K3QL3T4K3 L3QQE4L3L3QQL3L3P3L3 QL3L3T4E4L3E4QL3T4QT 4B4E4L3B4L3QB4L3KTQL 3 QB4QL3B4B4T4K3QQL3L3 B4L3QL3L3L3B4L3T4J2L 3QE4J2L3QL3QT4L3L3L3 L3KT4QQT4QD2QL3TB4L3 B4QE4B4QL3L3L3QQQK3L 3QIL3L3E4E4QL3T4L3QQ L3L3L3B4L3L3L3L3L3QL 3L3T4T4B4L3E4P3QL3B4 QT4S3C2QQQL3T4L3L3P3 L3P3L3QL3B4L3P3L3P3L 3L3L3QP3QQB4L3P3K3L4 QK3QQQL3P3KT4R4 QP3QT4L3QL3P3QQQS3L3 L3QP3L3L3L3T4T4Q L3L3QL3P3L3L3T4L3L3Q T4L3L3QQL3QL3T4T4L3K 3T4L3QL3Y4L3L3P3L3P3 QL3L3T4P3IT4L3L3L3 T4L3L3L3L3QL3K3L3J2Q L3QY4K3L3T4QL3 L3T4QL3L3L3L3

In days of yore how fortunately fared	A
The Minstrel wandering on from hall to hall	B
Baronial court or royal cheered with gifts	C
Munificent and love and ladies' praise	D
Now meeting on his road an armed knight	E
Now resting with a pilgrim by the side	F
Of a clear brook beneath an abbey's roof	G
One evening sumptuously lodged the next	H
Humbly in a religious hospital	I
Or with some merry outlaws of the wood	J
Or haply shrouded in a hermit's cell	K
Him sleeping or awake the robber spared	A
He walked protected from the sword of war	L
By virtue of that sacred instrument	M
His harp suspended at the traveller's side	F
His dear companion wheresoe'er he went	N
Opening from land to land an easy way	O
By melody and by the charm of verse	P
Yet not the noblest of that honoured Race	Q
Drew happier loftier more empassioned thoughts	R
From his long journeyings and eventful life	S
Than this obscure Itinerant had skill	T
To gather ranging through the tamer ground	U
Of these our unimaginative days	D
Both while he trod the earth in humblest guise	V
Accoutred with his burthen and his staff	W
And now when free to move with lighter pace	Q
	-
What wonder then if I whose favourite school	X
Hath been the fields the roads and rural lanes	Y
Looked on this guide with reverential love	Z
Each with the other pleased we now pursued	A2
Our journey under favourable skies	V
Turn wheresoe'er we would he was a light	E
Unfailing not a hamlet could we pass	B2
Rarely a house that did not yield to him	C2
Remembrances or from his tongue call forth	D2
Some way beguiling tale Nor less regard	E2
Accompanied those strains of apt discourse	F2
Which nature's various objects might inspire	G2
And in the silence of his face I read	H2
His overflowing spirit Birds and beasts	I2
And the mute fish that glances in the stream	J2
And harmless reptile coiling in the sun	K2
And gorgeous insect hovering in the air	L2
The fowl domestic and the household dog	M2
In his capacious mind he loved them all	B
Their rights acknowledging he felt for all	B
Oft was occasion given me to perceive	N2
How the calm pleasures of the pasturing herd	O2
To happy contemplation soothed his walk	P2
How the poor brute's condition forced to run	K2
Its course of suffering in the public road	Q2
Sad contrast all too often smote his heart	R2
With unavailing pity Rich in love	Z
And sweet humanity he was himself	S2
To the degree that he desired beloved	T2
Smiles of good will from faces that he knew	U2
Greeted us all day long we took our seats	V2
By many a cottage hearth where he received	W2
The welcome of an Inmate from afar	X2
And I at once forgot I was a Stranger	Y2
Nor was he loth to enter ragged huts	Z2
Huts where his charity was blest his voice	A3
Heard as the voice of an experienced friend	B3
And sometimes where the poor man held dispute	C3
With his own mind unable to subdue	U2
Impatience through inaptness to perceive	N2
General distress in his particular lot	D3
Or cherishing resentment or in vain	E3
Struggling against it with a soul perplexed	H
And finding in herself no steady power	Y2
To draw the line of comfort that divides	F3
Calamity the chastisement of Heaven	K2
From the injustice of our brother men	G3
To him appeal was made as to a judge	H3
Who with an understanding heart allayed	I3
The perturbation listened to the plea	J3
Resolved the dubious point and sentence gave	K3
So grounded so applied that it was heard	O2
With softened spirit even when it condemned	L3
	-
Such intercourse I witnessed while we roved	L3
Now as his choice directed now as mine	M3
Or both with equal readiness of will	T
Our course submitting to the changeful breeze	N3
Of accident But when the rising sun	K2
Had three times called us to renew our walk	P2
My Fellow traveller with earnest voice	A3
As if the thought were but a moment old	L3
Claimed absolute dominion for the day	L3
We started and he led me toward the hills	O3
Up through an ample vale with higher hills	O3
Before us mountains stern and desolate	L3
But in the majesty of distance now	P3
Set off and to our ken appearing fair	L2
Of aspect with aerial softness clad	L3
And beautified with morning's purple beams	Q3
	-
The wealthy the luxurious by the stress	R3
Of business roused or pleasure ere their time	S3
May roll in chariots or provoke the hoofs	T3
Of the fleet coursers they bestride to raise	D
From earth the dust of morning slow to rise	V
And they if blest with health and hearts at ease	N3
Shall lack not their enjoyment but how faint	L3
Compared with ours who pacing side by side	L3
Could with an eye of leisure look on all	B
That we beheld and lend the listening sense	U3
To every grateful sound of earth and air	L2
Pausing at will our spirits braced our thoughts	R
Pleasant as roses in the thickets blown	V3
And pure as dew bathing their crimson leaves	W3
	-
Mount slowly sun that we may journey long	X3
By this dark hill protected from thy beams	Q3
Such is the summer pilgrim's frequent wish	Y3
But quickly from among our morning thoughts	R
'Twas chased away for toward the western side	L3
Of the broad vale casting a casual glance	Z3
We saw a throng of people wherefore met	L3
Blithe notes of music suddenly let loose	A4
On the thrilled ear and flags uprising yield	L3
Prompt answer they proclaim the annual Wake	B4
Which the bright season favours Tabor and pipe	C4
In purpose join to hasten or reprove	K3
The laggard Rustic and repay with boons	D4
Of merriment a party coloured knot	L3
Already formed upon the village green	E4
Beyond the limits of the shadow cast	L3
By the broad hill glistened upon our sight	L3
That gay assemblage Round them and above	K3
Glitter with dark recesses interposed	L3
Casement and cottage roof and stems of trees	N3
Half veiled in vapoury cloud the silver steam	J2
Of dews fast melting on their leafy boughs	F4
By the strong sunbeams smitten Like a mast	L3
Of gold the Maypole shines as if the rays	D
Of morning aided by exhaling dew	L3
With gladsome influence could re animate	L3
The faded garlands dangling from its sides	F3
	-
Said I The music and the sprightly scene	E4
Invite us shall we quit our road and join	G4
These festive matins He replied Not loth	H4
To linger I would here with you partake	B4
Not one hour merely but till evening's close	I4
The simple pastimes of the day and place	Q
By the fleet Racers ere the sun be set	L3
The turf of yon large pasture will be skimmed	L3
There too the lusty Wrestlers shall contend	L3
But know we not that he who intermits	Q
The appointed task and duties of the day	L3
Untunes full oft the pleasures of the day	L3
Checking the finer spirits that refuse	Q
To flow when purposes are lightly changed	L3
A length of journey yet remains untraced	L3
Let us proceed Then pointing with his staff	K3
Raised toward those craggy summits his intent	L3
He thus imparted	L3
In a spot that lies	Q
Among yon mountain fastnesses concealed	L3
You will receive before the hour of noon	J4
Good recompense I hope for this day's toil	K4
From sight of One who lives secluded there	L2
Lonesome and lost of whom and whose past life	K3
Not to forestall such knowledge as may be	J3
More faithfully collected from himself	K3
This brief communication shall suffice	Q
	-
Though now sojourning there he like myself	K3
Sprang from a stock of lowly parentage	H3
Among the wilds of Scotland in a tract	L3
Where many a sheltered and well tended plant	L3
Bears on the humblest ground of social life	K3
Blossoms of piety and innocence	Q
Such grateful promises his youth displayed	L3
And having shown in study forward zeal	L4
He to the Ministry was duly called	L3
And straight incited by a curious mind	L3
Filled with vague hopes he undertook the charge	M4
Of Chaplain to a military troop	N4
Cheered by the Highland bagpipe as they marched	L3
In plaided vest his fellow countrymen	O4
This office filling yet by native power	Y2
And force of native inclination made	L3
An intellectual ruler in the haunts	Q
Of social vanity he walked the world	L3
Gay and affecting graceful gaiety	L3
Lax buoyant less a pastor with his flock	P4
Than a soldier among soldiers lived and roamed	L3
Where Fortune led and Fortune who oft proves	Q
The careless wanderer's friend to him made known	V3
A blooming Lady a conspicuous flower	Y2
Admired for beauty for her sweetness praised	L3
Whom he had sensibility to love	K3
Ambition to attempt and skill to win	O4
	-
For this fair Bride most rich in gifts of mind	L3
Nor sparingly endowed with worldly wealth	Q4
His office he relinquished and retired	L3
From the world's notice to a rural home	R4
Youth's season yet with him was scarcely past	L3
And she was in youth's prime How free their love	K3
How full their joy 'Till pitiable doom	S4
In the short course of one undreaded year	T4
Death blasted all Death suddenly o'erthrew	T4
Two lovely Children all that they possessed	L3
The Mother followed miserably bare	T4
The one Survivor stood he wept he prayed	L3
For his dismissal day and night compelled	L3
To hold communion with the grave and face	Q
With pain the regions of eternity	L3
An uncomplaining apathy displaced	L3
This anguish and indifferent to delight	L3
To aim and purpose he consumed his days	Q
To private interest dead and public care	T4
So lived he so he might have died	L3
But now	P3
To the wide world's astonishment appeared	L3
A glorious opening the unlooked for dawn	U4
That promised everlasting joy to France	Q
Her voice of social transport reached even him	C2
He broke from his contracted bounds repaired	L3
To the great City an emporium then	G3
Of golden expectations and receiving	V4
Freights every day from a new world of hope	W4
Thither his popular talents he transferred	L3
And from the pulpit zealously maintained	L3
The cause of Christ and civil liberty	L3
As one and moving to one glorious end	L3
Intoxicating service I might say	L3
A happy service for he was sincere	T4
As vanity and fondness for applause	Q
And new and shapeless wishes would allow	P3
	-
That righteous cause such power hath freedom bound	L3
For one hostility in friendly league	X4
Ethereal natures and the worst of slaves	Q
Was served by rival advocates that came	Y4
From regions opposite as heaven and hell	K
One courage seemed to animate them all	B
And from the dazzling conquests daily gained	L3
By their united efforts there arose	Q
A proud and most presumptuous confidence	Q
In the transcendent wisdom of the age	Z4
And her discernment not alone in rights	Q
And in the origin and bounds of power	T4
Social and temporal but in laws divine	M3
Deduced by reason or to faith revealed	L3
An overweening trust was raised and fear	T4
Cast out alike of person and of thing	V4
Plague from this union spread whose subtle bane	E3
The strongest did not easily escape
And He what wonder took a mortal taint	L3
How shall I trace the change how bear to tell	K
That he broke faith with them whom he had laid	L3
In earth's dark chambers with a Christian's hope	W4
An infidel contempt of holy writ	L3
Stole by degrees upon his mind and hence	Q
Life like that Roman Janus double faced	L3
Vilest hypocrisy the laughing gay	L3
Hypocrisy not leagued with fear but pride	L3
Smooth words he had to wheedle simple souls	Q
But for disciples of the inner school	X
Old freedom was old servitude and they	L3
The wisest whose opinions stooped the least	L3
To known restraints and who most boldly drew	T4
Hopeful prognostications from a creed	L3
That in the light of false philosophy	L3
Spread like a halo round a misty moon	J4
Widening its circle as the storms advance	Q
	-
His sacred function was at length renounced	L3
And every day and every place enjoyed	L3
The unshackled layman's natural liberty	L3
Speech manners morals all without disguise	Q
I do not wish to wrong him though the course	Q
Of private life licentiously displayed	L3
Unhallowed actions planted like a crown
Upon the insolent aspiring brow	P3
Of spurious notions worn as open signs	Q
Of prejudice subdued still he retained	L3
'Mid much abasement what he had received	L3
From nature an intense and glowing mind	L3
Wherefore when humbled Liberty grew weak
And mortal sickness on her face appeared	L3
He coloured objects to his own desire	T4
As with a lover's passion Yet his moods	Q
Of pain were keen as those of better men	G3
Nay keener as his fortitude was less	Q
And he continued when worse days were come
To deal about his sparkling eloquence	Q
Struggling against the strange reverse with zeal	L4
That showed like happiness But in despite	L3
Of all this outside bravery within	O4
He neither felt encouragement nor hope	W4
For moral dignity and strength of mind	L3
Were wanting and simplicity of life	K3
And reverence for himself and last and best	L3
Confiding thoughts through love and fear of Him	C2
Before whose sight the troubles of this world	L3
Are vain as billows in a tossing sea	L3
	-
The glory of the times fading away	L3
The splendour which had given a festal air	T4
To self importance hallowed it and veiled	L3
From his own sight this gone he forfeited	L3
All joy in human nature was consumed	L3
And vexed and chafed by levity and scorn
And fruitless indignation galled by pride	L3
Made desperate by contempt of men who throve	K3
Before his sight in power or fame and won	K2
Without desert what he desired weak men	G3
Too weak even for his envy or his hate	L3
Tormented thus after a wandering course	Q
Of discontent and inwardly opprest	L3
With malady in part I fear provoked	L3
By weariness of life he fixed his home	R4
Or rather say sate down by very chance	Q
Among these rugged hills where now he dwells	Q
And wastes the sad remainder of his hours	Q
Steeped in a self indulging spleen that wants not	L3
Its own voluptuousness on this resolved	L3
With this content that he will live and die	L3
Forgotten at safe distance from 'a world	L3
Not moving to his mind '	-
These serious words	Q
Closed the preparatory notices	Q
That served my Fellow traveller to beguile
The way while we advanced up that wide vale
Diverging now as if his quest had been	O4
Some secret of the mountains cavern fall	B
Of water or some lofty eminence	Q
Renowned for splendid prospect far and wide	L3
We scaled without a track to ease our steps	Q
A steep ascent and reached a dreary plain	E3
With a tumultuous waste of huge hill tops	Q
Before us savage region which I paced	L3
Dispirited when all at once behold	L3
Beneath our feet a little lowly vale
A lowly vale and yet uplifted high	L3
Among the mountains even as if the spot	L3
Had been from eldest time by wish of theirs	Q
So placed to be shut out from all the world	L3
Urn like it was in shape deep as an urn
With rocks encompassed save that to the south
Was one small opening where a heath clad ridge
Supplied a boundary less abrupt and close	Q
A quiet treeless nook with two green fields	Q
A liquid pool that glittered in the sun	K2
And one bare dwelling one abode no more	T4
It seemed the home of poverty and toil	K4
Though not of want the little fields made green	E4
By husbandry of many thrifty years	Q
Paid cheerful tribute to the moorland house	Q
There crows the cock single in his domain	E3
The small birds find in spring no thicket there	T4
To shroud them only from the neighbouring vales	Q
The cuckoo straggling up to the hill tops	Q
Shouteth faint tidings of some gladder place	Q
	-
Ah what a sweet Recess thought I is here	T4
Instantly throwing down my limbs at ease	Q
Upon a bed of heath full many a spot	L3
Of hidden beauty have I chanced to espy	L3
Among the mountains never one like this	Q
So lonesome and so perfectly secure	T4
Not melancholy no for it is green	E4
And bright and fertile furnished in itself	K3
With the few needful things that life requires	Q
In rugged arms how softly does it lie	L3
How tenderly protected Far and near	T4
We have an image of the pristine earth
The planet in its nakedness were this	Q
Man's only dwelling sole appointed seat	L3
First last and single in the breathing world	L3
It could not be more quiet peace is here	T4
Or nowhere days unruffled by the gale
Of public news or private years that pass	Q
Forgetfully uncalled upon to pay	L3
The common penalties of mortal life	K3
Sickness or accident or grief or pain	E3
	-
On these and kindred thoughts intent I lay	L3
In silence musing by my Comrade's side	L3
He also silent when from out the heart	L3
Of that profound abyss a solemn voice	Q
Or several voices in one solemn sound	L3
Was heard ascending mournful deep and slow
The cadence as of psalms a funeral dirge
We listened looking down upon the hut	L3
But seeing no one meanwhile from below
The strain continued spiritual as before	T4
And now distinctly could I recognise	Q
These words Shall in the grave thy love be known	V3
In death thy faithfulness God rest his soul '	-
Said the old man abruptly breaking silence	Q
He is departed and finds peace at last	L3
	-
This scarcely spoken and those holy strains	Q
Not ceasing forth appeared in view a band	L3
Of rustic persons from behind the hut	L3
Bearing a coffin in the midst with which
They shaped their course along the sloping side	L3
Of that small valley singing as they moved	L3
A sober company and few the men	G3
Bare headed and all decently attired	L3
Some steps when they had thus advanced the dirge
Ended and from the stillness that ensued	L3
Recovering to my Friend I said You spake	B4
Methought with apprehension that these rites	Q
Are paid to Him upon whose shy retreat	L3
This day we purposed to intrude ' I did so	Q
But let us hence that we may learn the truth
Perhaps it is not he but some one else	Q
For whom this pious service is performed	L3
Some other tenant of the solitude	L3
	-
So to a steep and difficult descent	L3
Trusting ourselves we wound from crag to crag	B4
Where passage could be won and as the last	L3
Of the mute train behind the heathy top
Of that off sloping outlet disappeared	L3
I more impatient in my downward course	Q
Had landed upon easy ground and there	T4
Stood waiting for my Comrade When behold	L3
An object that enticed my steps aside	L3
A narrow winding entry opened out	L3
Into a platform that lay sheepfold wise	Q
Enclosed between an upright mass of rock	B4
And one old moss grown wall a cool recess	Q
And fanciful For where the rock and wall	B
Met in an angle hung a penthouse framed	L3
By thrusting two rude staves into the wall	B
And overlaying them with mountain sods	Q
To weather fend a little turf built seat	L3
Whereon a full grown man might rest nor dread	L3
The burning sunshine or a transient shower	T4
But the whole plainly wrought by children's hands	Q
Whose skill had thronged the floor with a proud show	Q
Of baby houses curiously arranged	L3
Nor wanting ornament of walks between	E4
With mimic trees inserted in the turf	K3
And gardens interposed Pleased with the sight	L3
I could not choose but beckon to my Guide	L3
Who entering round him threw a careless glance	Q
Impatient to pass on when I exclaimed	L3
Lo what is here and stooping down drew forth	D2
A book that in the midst of stones and moss	Q
And wreck of party coloured earthen ware	T4
Aptly disposed had lent its help to raise	Q
One of those petty structures His it must be	L3
Exclaimed the Wanderer cannot but be his	Q
And he is gone The book which in my hand	L3
Had opened of itself for it was swoln	E4
With searching damp and seemingly had lain	E4
To the injurious elements exposed	L3
From week to week I found to be a work	B4
In the French tongue a Novel of Voltaire	T4
His famous Optimist Unhappy Man	E4
Exclaimed my Friend here then has been to him	C2
Retreat within retreat a sheltering place	Q
Within how deep a shelter He had fits	Q
Even to the last of genuine tenderness	Q
And loved the haunts of children here no doubt	L3
Pleasing and pleased he shared their simple sports	Q
Or sate companionless and here the book	B4
Left and forgotten in his careless way	L3
Must by the cottage children have been found	L3
Heaven bless them and their inconsiderate work	B4
To what odd purpose have the darlings turned	L3
This sad memorial of their hapless friend	L3
	-
Me said I most doth it surprise to find	L3
Such book in such a place A book it is	Q
He answered to the Person suited well	K
Though little suited to surrounding things	Q
'Tis strange I grant and stranger still had been	E4
To see the Man who owned it dwelling here	T4
With one poor shepherd far from all the world	L3
Now if our errand hath been thrown away	L3
As from these intimations I forebode	L3
Grieved shall I be less for my sake than yours	Q
And least of all for him who is no more	T4
	-
By this the book was in the old Man's hand	L3
And he continued glancing on the leaves	Q
An eye of scorn The lover said he doomed	L3
To love when hope hath failed him whom no depth
Of privacy is deep enough to hide	L3
Hath yet his bracelet or his lock of hair	T4
And that is joy to him When change of times	Q
Hath summoned kings to scaffolds do but give	K3
The faithful servant who must hide his head	L3
Henceforth in whatsoever nook he may	L3
A kerchief sprinkled with his master's blood	L3
And he too hath his comforter How poor	T4
Beyond all poverty how destitute	L3
Must that Man have been left who hither driven	E4
Flying or seeking could yet bring with him	C2
No dearer relique and no better stay	L3
Than this dull product of a scoffer's pen	E4
Impure conceits discharging from a heart	L3
Hardened by impious pride I did not fear	T4
To tax you with this journey mildly said	L3
My venerable Friend as forth we stepped	L3
Into the presence of the cheerful light	L3
For I have knowledge that you do not shrink	B4
From moving spectacles but let us on	E4
	-
So speaking on he went and at the word	L3
I followed till he made a sudden stand	L3
For full in view approaching through a gate	L3
That opened from the enclosure of green fields	Q
Into the rough uncultivated ground	L3
Behold the Man whom he had fancied dead	L3
I knew from his deportment mien and dress	Q
That it could be no other a pale face	Q
A meagre person tall and in a garb
Not rustic dull and faded like himself	K3
He saw us not though distant but few steps	Q
For he was busy dealing from a store	T4
Upon a broad leaf carried choicest strings	Q
Of red ripe currants gift by which he strove	K3
With intermixture of endearing words	Q
To soothe a Child who walked beside him weeping	B4
As if disconsolate They to the grave	K3
Are bearing him my Little one he said	L3
To the dark pit but he will feel no pain	E4
His body is at rest his soul in heaven	E4
	-
More might have followed but my honoured Friend	L3
Broke in upon the Speaker with a frank	B4
And cordial greeting Vivid was the light	L3
That flashed and sparkled from the other's eyes	Q
He was all fire no shadow on his brow	P3
Remained nor sign of sickness on his face	Q
Hands joined he with his Visitant a grasp
An eager grasp and many moments' space	Q
When the first glow of pleasure was no more	T4
And of the sad appearance which at once	Q
Had vanished much was come and coming back	B4
An amicable smile retained the life	K3
Which it had unexpectedly received	L3
Upon his hollow cheek How kind he said	L3
Nor could your coming have been better timed	L3
For this you see is in our narrow world	L3
A day of sorrow I have here a charge	M4
And speaking thus he patted tenderly	L3
The sun burnt forehead of the weeping child	L3
A little mourner whom it is my task	B4
To comfort but how came ye if yon track	B4
Which doth at once befriend us and betray	L3
Conducted hither your most welcome feet	L3
Ye could not miss the funeral train they yet	L3
Have scarcely disappeared This blooming Child	L3
Said the old Man is of an age to weep
At any grave or solemn spectacle	I
Inly distressed or overpowered with awe
He knows not wherefore but the boy today	L3
Perhaps is shedding orphan's tears you also	Q
Must have sustained a loss The hand of Death
He answered has been here but could not well	K
Have fallen more lightly if it had not fallen	E4
Upon myself The other left these words	Q
Unnoticed thus continuing	B4
From yon crag	B4
Down whose steep sides we dropped into the vale
We heard the hymn they sang a solemn sound	L3
Heard anywhere but in a place like this	Q
'Tis more than human Many precious rites	Q
And customs of our rural ancestry	L3
Are gone or stealing from us this I hope	W4
Will last for ever Oft on my way have I	L3
Stood still though but a casual passenger	T4
So much I felt the awfulness of life	K3
In that one moment when the corse is lifted	L3
In silence with a hush of decency	L3
Then from the threshold moves with song of peace	Q
And confidential yearnings towards its home	R4
Its final home on earth What traveller who	T4
How far soe'er a stranger does not own	E4
The bond of brotherhood when he sees them go	B4
A mute procession on the houseless road	L3
Or passing by some single tenement	L3
Or clustered dwellings where again they raise	Q
The monitory voice But most of all	B
It touches it confirms and elevates	Q
Then when the body soon to be consigned	L3
Ashes to ashes dust bequeathed to dust	L3
Is raised from the church aisle and forward borne	E4
Upon the shoulders of the next in love	K3
The nearest in affection or in blood	L3
Yea by the very mourners who had knelt	L3
Beside the coffin resting on its lid	L3
In silent grief their unuplifted heads	Q
And heard meanwhile the Psalmist's mournful plaint	L3
And that most awful scripture which declares	Q
We shall not sleep but we shall all be changed	L3
Have I not seen ye likewise may have seen	E4
Son husband brothers brothers side by side	L3
And son and father also side by side	L3
Rise from that posture and in concert move	K3
On the green turf following the vested Priest	L3
Four dear supporters of one senseless weight	L3
From which they do not shrink and under which
They faint not but advance towards the open grave	K3
Step after step together with their firm
Unhidden faces he that suffers most	L3
He outwardly and inwardly perhaps	Q
The most serene with most undaunted eye	L3
Oh blest are they who live and die like these	Q
Loved with such love and with such sorrow mourned	L3
	-
That poor Man taken hence to day replied	L3
The Solitary with a faint sarcastic smile
Which did not please me must be deemed I fear	T4
Of the unblest for he will surely sink	B4
Into his mother earth without such pomp
Of grief depart without occasion given	E4
By him for such array of fortitude	L3
Full seventy winters hath he lived and mark	B4
This simple Child will mourn his one short hour	T4
And I shall miss him scanty tribute yet	L3
This wanting he would leave the sight of men	E4
If love were his sole claim upon their care	T4
Like a ripe date which in the desert falls	Q
Without a hand to gather it	L3
At this	Q
I interposed though loth to speak and said	L3
Can it be thus among so small a band	L3
As ye must needs be here in such a place	Q
I would not willingly methinks lose sight	L3
Of a departing cloud 'Twas not for love	K3
Answered the sick Man with a careless voice	Q
That I came hither neither have I found	L3
Among associates who have power of speech
Nor in such other converse as is here	T4
Temptation so prevailing as to change
That mood or undermine my first resolve	K3
Then speaking in like careless sort he said	L3
To my benign Companion Pity 'tis	Q
That fortune did not guide you to this house	Q
A few days earlier then would you have seen	E4
What stuff the Dwellers in a solitude	L3
That seems by Nature hollowed out to be	L3
The seat and bosom of pure innocence	Q
Are made of an ungracious matter this	Q
Which for truth's sake yet in remembrance too	L3
Of past discussions with this zealous friend	L3
And advocate of humble life I now	P3
Will force upon his notice undeterred	L3
By the example of his own pure course	Q
And that respect and deference which a soul
May fairly claim by niggard age enriched	L3
In what she most doth value love of God	L3
And his frail creature Man but ye shall hear	T4
I talk and ye are standing in the sun	E4
Without refreshment	L3
Quickly had he spoken	E4
And with light steps still quicker than his words	Q
Led toward the Cottage Homely was the spot	L3
And to my feeling ere we reached the door	T4
Had almost a forbidding nakedness	Q
Less fair I grant even painfully less fair	T4
Than it appeared when from the beetling rock	B4
We had looked down upon it All within	E4
As left by the departed company	L3
Was silent save the solitary clock	B4
That on mine ear ticked with a mournful sound	L3
Following our Guide we clomb the cottage stairs	Q
And reached a small apartment dark and low	B4
Which was no sooner entered than our Host	L3
Said gaily This is my domain my cell	K
My hermitage my cabin what you will	T
I love it better than a snail his house	Q
But now ye shall be feasted with our best	L3
	-
So with more ardour than an unripe girl
Left one day mistress of her mother's stores	Q
He went about his hospitable task	B4
My eyes were busy and my thoughts no less	Q
And pleased I looked upon my grey haired Friend	L3
As if to thank him he returned that look	B4
Cheered plainly and yet serious What a wreck	B4
Had we about us scattered was the floor	T4
And in like sort chair window seat and shelf	K3
With books maps fossils withered plants and flowers	Q
And tufts of mountain moss Mechanic tools	Q
Lay intermixed with scraps of paper some
Scribbled with verse a broken angling rod	L3
And shattered telescope together linked	L3
By cobwebs stood within a dusty nook	B4
And instruments of music some half made	L3
Some in disgrace hung dangling from the walls	Q
But speedily the promise was fulfilled	L3
A feast before us and a courteous Host	L3
Inviting us in glee to sit and eat	L3
A napkin white as foam of that rough brook	B4
By which it had been bleached o'erspread the board	L3
And was itself half covered with a store	T4
Of dainties oaten bread curd cheese and cream	J2
And cakes of butter curiously embossed	L3
Butter that had imbibed from meadow flowers	Q
A golden hue delicate as their own	E4
Faintly reflected in a lingering stream	J2
Nor lacked for more delight on that warm day	L3
Our table small parade of garden fruits	Q
And whortle berries from the mountain side	L3
The Child who long ere this had stilled his sobs	Q
Was now a help to his late comforter	T4
And moved a willing Page as he was bid	L3
Ministering to our need	L3
In genial mood	L3
While at our pastoral banquet thus we sate	L3
Fronting the window of that little cell	K
I could not ever and anon forbear	T4
To glance an upward look on two huge Peaks	Q
That from some other vale peered into this	Q
Those lusty twins exclaimed our host if here	T4
It were your lot to dwell would soon become
Your prized companions Many are the notes	Q
Which in his tuneful course the wind draws forth	D2
From rocks woods caverns heaths and dashing shores	Q
And well those lofty brethren bear their part	L3
In the wild concert chiefly when the storm
Rides high then all the upper air they fill	T
With roaring sound that ceases not to flow	B4
Like smoke along the level of the blast	L3
In mighty current theirs too is the song	B4
Of stream and headlong flood that seldom fails	Q
And in the grim and breathless hour of noon	E4
Methinks that I have heard them echo back	B4
The thunder's greeting Nor have nature's laws	Q
Left them ungifted with a power to yield	L3
Music of finer tone a harmony	L3
So do I call it though it be the hand	L3
Of silence though there be no voice the clouds	Q
The mist the shadows light of golden suns	Q
Motions of moonlight all come thither touch
And have an answer thither come and shape
A language not unwelcome to sick hearts	Q
And idle spirits there the sun himself	K3
At the calm close of summer's longest day	L3
Rests his substantial orb between those heights	Q
And on the top of either pinnacle	I
More keenly than elsewhere in night's blue vault	L3
Sparkle the stars as of their station proud	L3
Thoughts are not busier in the mind of man	E4
Than the mute agents stirring there alone	E4
Here do I sit and watch
A fall of voice	Q
Regretted like the nightingale's last note	L3
Had scarcely closed this high wrought strain of rapture	T4
Ere with inviting smile the Wanderer said	L3
Now for the tale with which you threatened us	Q
In truth the threat escaped me unawares	Q
Should the tale tire you let this challenge stand	L3
For my excuse Dissevered from mankind	L3
As to your eyes and thoughts we must have seemed	L3
When ye looked down upon us from the crag	B4
Islanders 'mid a stormy mountain sea	L3
We are not so perpetually we touch
Upon the vulgar ordinances of the world	L3
And he whom this our cottage hath to day	L3
Relinquished lived dependent for his bread	L3
Upon the laws of public charity	L3
The Housewife tempted by such slender gains	Q
As might from that occasion be distilled	L3
Opened as she before had done for me	L3
Her doors to admit this homeless Pensioner	T4
The portion gave of coarse but wholesome fare	T4
Which appetite required a blind dull nook	B4
Such as she had the 'kennel' of his rest	L3
This in itself not ill would yet have been	E4
Ill borne in earlier life but his was now	P3
The still contentedness of seventy years	Q
Calm did he sit under the wide spread tree	L3
Of his old age and yet less calm and meek	B4
Winningly meek or venerably calm
Than slow and torpid paying in this wise	Q
A penalty if penalty it were	T4
For spendthrift feats excesses of his prime	S3
I loved the old Man for I pitied him	C2
A task it was I own to hold discourse	Q
With one so slow in gathering up his thoughts	Q
But he was a cheap pleasure to my eyes	Q
Mild inoffensive ready in 'his' way	L3
And helpful to his utmost power and there	T4
Our housewife knew full well what she possessed	L3
He was her vassal of all labour tilled	L3
Her garden from the pasture fetched her kine	P3
And one among the orderly array	L3
Of hay makers beneath the burning sun	P3
Maintained his place or heedfully pursued	L3
His course on errands bound to other vales	Q
Leading sometimes an inexperienced child	L3
Too young for any profitable task	B4
So moved he like a shadow that performed	L3
Substantial service Mark me now and learn	P3
For what reward The moon her monthly round	L3
Hath not completed since our dame the queen	P3
Of this one cottage and this lonely dale
Into my little sanctuary rushed	L3
Voice to a rueful treble humanized	L3
And features in deplorable dismay	L3
I treat the matter lightly but alas	Q
It is most serious persevering rain	P3
Had fallen in torrents all the mountain tops	Q
Were hidden and black vapours coursed their sides	Q
This had I seen and saw but till she spake	B4
Was wholly ignorant that my ancient Friend	L3
Who at her bidding early and alone	P3
Had clomb aloft to delve the moorland turf	K3
For winter fuel to his noontide meal	L4
Returned not and now haply on the heights	Q
Lay at the mercy of this raging storm
'Inhuman ' said I 'was an old Man's life	K3
Not worth the trouble of a thought alas	Q
This notice comes too late ' With joy I saw	Q
Her husband enter from a distant vale
We sallied forth together found the tools	Q
Which the neglected veteran had dropped	L3
But through all quarters looked for him in vain	P3
We shouted but no answer Darkness fell	K
Without remission of the blast or shower	T4
And fears for our own safety drove us home	R4
	-
I who weep little did I will confess	Q
The moment I was seated here alone	P3
Honour my little cell with some few tears	Q
Which anger and resentment could not dry	T4
All night the storm endured and soon as help
Had been collected from the neighbouring vale
With morning we renewed our quest the wind	L3
Was fallen the rain abated but the hills	Q
Lay shrouded in impenetrable mist	L3
And long and hopelessly we sought in vain	P3
Till chancing on that lofty ridge to pass	Q
A heap of ruin almost without walls	Q
And wholly without roof the bleached remains	Q
Of a small chapel where in ancient time	S3
The peasants of these lonely valleys used	L3
To meet for worship on that central height	L3
We there espied the object of our search
Lying full three parts buried among tufts	Q
Of heath plant under and above him strewn	P3
To baffle as he might the watery storm
And there we found him breathing peaceably	L3
Snug as a child that hides itself in sport	L3
'Mid a green hay cock in a sunny field	L3
We spake he made reply but would not stir	T4
At our entreaty less from want of power	T4
Than apprehension and bewildering thoughts	Q
	-
So was he lifted gently from the ground	L3
And with their freight homeward the shepherds moved	L3
Through the dull mist I following when a step
A single step that freed me from the skirts	Q
Of the blind vapour opened to my view	L3
Glory beyond all glory ever seen	P3
By waking sense or by the dreaming soul
The appearance instantaneously disclosed	L3
Was of a mighty city boldly say	L3
A wilderness of building sinking far	T4
And self withdrawn into a boundless depth
Far sinking into splendour without end	L3
Fabric it seemed of diamond and of gold	L3
With alabaster domes and silver spires	Q
And blazing terrace upon terrace high	T4
Uplifted here serene pavilions bright	L3
In avenues disposed there towers begirt	L3
With battlements that on their restless fronts	Q
Bore stars illumination of all gems	Q
By earthly nature had the effect been wrought	L3
Upon the dark materials of the storm
Now pacified on them and on the coves	Q
And mountain steeps and summits whereunto	L3
The vapours had receded taking there	T4
Their station under a cerulean sky	T4
Oh 'twas an unimaginable sight	L3
Clouds mists streams watery rocks and emerald turf	K3
Clouds of all tincture rocks and sapphire sky	T4
Confused commingled mutually inflamed	L3
Molten together and composing thus	Q
Each lost in each that marvellous array	L3
Of temple palace citadel and huge
Fantastic pomp of structure without name	Y4
In fleecy folds voluminous enwrapped	L3
Right in the midst where interspace appeared	L3
Of open court an object like a throne	P3
Under a shining canopy of state	L3
Stood fixed and fixed resemblances were seen	P3
To implements of ordinary use	Q
But vast in size in substance glorified	L3
Such as by Hebrew Prophets were beheld	L3
In vision forms uncouth of mightiest power	T4
For admiration and mysterious awe
This little Vale a dwelling place of Man	P3
Lay low beneath my feet 'twas visible	I
I saw not but I felt that it was there	T4
That which I 'saw' was the revealed abode	L3
Of Spirits in beatitude my heart	L3
Swelled in my breast 'I have been dead ' I cried	L3
'And now I live Oh wherefore 'do' I live '	-
And with that pang I prayed to be no more	T4
But I forget our Charge as utterly	L3
I then forgot him there I stood and gazed	L3
The apparition faded not away	L3
And I descended	L3
Having reached the house	Q
I found its rescued inmate safely lodged	L3
And in serene possession of himself	K3
Beside a fire whose genial warmth seemed met	L3
By a faint shining from the heart a gleam	J2
Of comfort spread over his pallid face	Q
Great show of joy the housewife made and truly	L3
Was glad to find her conscience set at ease	Q
And not less glad for sake of her good name	Y4
That the poor Sufferer had escaped with life	K3
But though he seemed at first to have received	L3
No harm and uncomplaining as before	T4
Went through his usual tasks a silent change
Soon showed itself he lingered three short weeks	Q
And from the cottage hath been borne to day	L3
	-
So ends my dolorous tale and glad I am
That it is ended At these words he turned	L3
And with blithe air of open fellowship
Brought from the cupboard wine and stouter cheer	T4
Like one who would be merry Seeing this	Q
My grey haired Friend said courteously Nay nay	L3
You have regaled us as a hermit ought	L3
Now let us forth into the sun Our Host	L3
Rose though reluctantly and forth we went	L3

William Wordsworth

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