Page:Lyrical ballads, Volume 2, Wordsworth, 1800.djvu/215

207 Stood single, with large prospect North and South,

High into Easedale, up to Dunmal-Raise,

And Westward to the village near the Lake.

And from this constant light so regular

And so far seen, the House itself by all

Who dwelt within the limits of the vale,

Both old and young, was nam'd The Evening Star.

Thus living on through such a length of years,

The Shepherd, if he lov'd himself, must needs

Have lov'd his Help-mate; but to Michael's heart

This Son of his old age was yet more dear—

Effect which might perhaps have been produc'd

By that instinctive tenderness, the same

Blind Spirit, which is in the blood of all,

Or that a child, more than all other gifts,

Brings hope with it, and forward-looking thoughts,

And stirrings of inquietude, when they

By tendency of nature needs must fail.