"YES, IT WAS THE MOUNTAIN ECHO." I AM not One who much or oft delight To season my fireside with personal talk, And, for my chance-acquaintance, ladies bright, 5 ΙΟ II. ee Yet life," you say, "is life; we have seen and see, And with a living pleasure we describe; 15 And fits of sprightly malice do but bribe. The languid mind into activity. Sound sense, and love itself, and mirth and glee III. Wings have we, and as far as we can go, Blank ocean and mere sky, support that mood Dreams, books, are each a world; and books, we know, Round these, with tendrils strong as flesh and blood, 35 There find I personal themes, a plenteous store, To which I listen with a ready ear; Two shall be named, pre-eminently dear,- And heavenly Una with her milk-white Lamb. 40 IV. Nor can I not believe but that hereby Blessings be with them—and eternal praise, 1806 (?). 45 50 55 LINES Composed at Grasmere, during a walk one Evening, after a stormy day, the Author having just read in a Newspaper that the dissolution of Mr. Fox was hourly expected. LOUD is the Vale! the Voice is up With which she speaks when storms are gone, A mighty unison of streams! Of all her Voices, One! Loud is the Vale; this inland Depth In peace is roaring like the Sea; Yon star upon the mountain-top Is listening quietly. Sad was I, even to pain deprest, And many thousands now are sad - A Power is passing from the earth That Man, who is from God sent forth, Such ebb and flow must ever be, Then wherefore should we mourn? 5 IO 15 20 ODE. INTIMATIONS OF IMMORTALITY FROM RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD. "The Child is Father of the Man; And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety." I. THERE was a time when meadow, grove, and stream, To me did seem Apparelled in celestial light, The glory and the freshness of a dream. By night or day, The things which I have seen I now can see no more. II. The Rainbow comes and goes, And lovely is the Rose, The Moon doth with delight Look round her when the heavens are bare, Waters on a starry night Are beautiful and fair; The sunshine is a glorious birth; But yet I know, where'er I go, That there hath past away a glory from the earth. III. Now, while the birds thus sing a joyous song, 5 ΙΟ 15 20 |