Page:Poems by William Wordsworth (1815) Volume 1.djvu/183

123 With him there often walked in friendly guise

Or lay upon the moss by brook or tree

A noticeable Man with large grey eyes,

And a pale face that seemed undoubtedly

As if a blooming face it ought to be;

Heavy his low-hung lip did oft appear

Deprest by weight of musing Phantasy;

Profound his forehead was, though not severe;

Yet some did think that he had little business here:

Sweet heaven forefend! his was a lawful right;

Noisy he was, and gamesome as a boy;

His limbs would toss about him with delight

Like branches when strong winds the trees annoy.

Nor lacked his calmer hours device or toy

To banish listlessness and irksome care;

He would have taught you how you might employ

Yourself; and many did to him repair,—

And, certes, not in vain; he had inventions rare.

Expedients, too, of simplest sort he tried:

Long blades of grass, plucked round him as he lay,