Page:Lyrical ballads, Volume 2, Wordsworth, 1800.djvu/52

44 His Shepherd's staff; for midway in the cliff

It had been caught, and there for many years

It hung—and moulder'd there.

The Priest here ended—

The Stranger would have thank'd him, but he felt

Tears rushing in; both left the spot in silence,

And Leonard, when they reach'd the church-yard gate,

As the Priest lifted up the latch, turn'd round,

And, looking at the grave, he said, "My Brother."

The Vicar did not hear the words: and now,

Pointing towards the Cottage, he entreated

That Leonard would partake his homely fare:

The other thank'd him with a fervent voice,

But added, that, the evening being calm,

He would pursue his journey. So they parted.

It was not long ere Leonard reach'd a grove

That overhung the road: he there stopp'd short,

And, sitting down beneath the trees, review'd

All that the Priest had said: his early years