Page:Poems by William Wordsworth (1815) Volume 1.djvu/125

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Now, while the solemn evening Shadows sail

On red slow-waving pinions down the vale,

How pleasant near the tranquil lake to stray,

Where winds the road along a secret bay;

By rills that tumble down the woody steeps,

And run in transport to the dimpling deeps;

Along the "wild meandering shore" to view,

Obsequious Grace the winding swan pursue.

He swells his lifted chest, and backward flings

His bridling neck between his towering wings;

In all the majesty of ease divides,

And glorying looks around, the silent tides:

On as he floats, the silvered waters glow,

Proud of the varying arch and moveless form of snow.

While tender Cares and mild domestic Loves

With furtive watch pursue her as she moves;

The Female with a meeker charm succeeds,

And her brown Little-ones around her leads,

Nibbling the water-lilies as they pass,

Or playing wanton with the floating grass.