Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/113

87 He was her Vassal of all labour, tilled

Her garden, from the pasture fetched her Kine;

And, one among the orderly array

Of Hay-makers, beneath the burning sun

Maintained his place ; or heedfully pursued

His course, on errands bound, to other vales,

Leading sometimes an inexperienced Child

Too young for any profitable task.

So moved he like a Shadow that performed

Substantial service. Mark me now, and learn

For what reward! The Moon her monthly round

Hath not completed since our Dame, the Queen

Of this one cottage and this lonely dale,

Into my little sanctuary rushed,

Voice to a rueful treble humanized,

And features in deplorable dismay.—

I treat the matter lightly, but alas!

It is most serious: from mid-noon the rain

Had fallen in torrents; all the mountain tops

Were hidden, and black vapours coursed their sides;

This had I seen and saw; but, till she spake,

Was wholly ignorant that my ancient Friend,

Who at her bidding, early and alone,