When thou return'st, thou in this place wilt see 'T will be between us; but, whatever fate Befall thee, I shall love thee to the last, And bear thy memory with me to the grave." The Shepherd ended here; and Luke stooped down, And, as his Father had requested, laid 415 The first stone of the Sheepfold. At the sight 420 The old Man's grief broke from him; to his heart And to the house together they returned. Hushed was that House in peace, or seeming peace, Ere the night fell: with morrow's dawn the Boy 425 Began his journey, and when he had reached The public way, he put on a bold face; 430 A good report did from their Kinsman come, Of Luke and his well-doing: and the Boy Wrote loving letters, full of wondrous news, Which, as the Housewife phrased it, were throughout "The prettiest letters that were ever seen." 435 Both parents read them with rejoicing hearts. So, many months passed on: and once again The Shepherd went about his daily work With confident and cheerful thoughts; and now 440 He to that valley took his way, and there Wrought at the Sheepfold. Meantime Luke began He in the dissolute city gave himself To evil courses: ignominy and shame 445 Fell on him, so that he was driven at last To seek a hiding-place beyond the seas. There is a comfort in the strength of love; 450 455 460 465 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. The Cottage which was named the EVENING STAR Is gone the ploughshare has been through the ground That grew beside their door; and the remains 475 480 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 1800. Pure, or with no unpleasing sadness mixed; 5 And dear remembrances, whose presence soothes The good and evil of our mortal state. To these emotions, whencesoe'er they come, Of Truth, of Grandeur, Beauty, Love, and Hope, Of blessed consolations in distress; I sing : "fit audience let me find though few!" So prayed, more gaining than he asked, the Bard – In holiest mood. Urania, I shall need 1Ο 15 20 25 Thy guidance, or a greater Muse, if such 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 A history only of departed things, 50 Or a mere fiction of what never was? - I, long before the blissful hour arrives, 55 40 35 330 Would I arouse the sensual from their sleep (And the progressive powers perhaps no less Is fitted and how exquisitely, too : Theme this but little heard of among men Can it be called) which they with blended might Must turn elsewhere to travel near the tribes 60 65 70 75 Within the walls of cities—may these sounds 80 Have their authentic comment; that even these Hearing, I be not downcast or forlorn !— Dreaming on things to come; and dost possess Of mighty Poets; upon me bestow A gift of genuine insight; that my Song Of those mutations that extend their sway And if with this 85 90 |