Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/136

110 "With aught, as more desirable and fair,

"Devised by Fancy for the Golden Age;

"Or the perpetual warbling that prevails

"In Arcady, beneath unaltered skies,

"Through the long year in constant quiet bound,

"Night hush'd as night, and day serene as day!"

—But why this tedious record?—Age we know

Is garrulous; and solitude is apt

To anticipate the privilege of Age.

From far ye come; and surely with a hope

Of better entertainment—let us hence!"

Loth to forsake the spot, and still more loth

To be diverted from our present theme,

I said, "My thoughts, agreeing, Sir, with yours,

Would push this censure farther;—for, if smiles

Of scornful pity be the just reward

Of Poesy, thus courteously employed

In framing models to improve the scheme

Of Man's existence, and recast the world,

Why should not grave Philosophy be stiled,

Herself, a Dreamer of a kindred stock,

A Dreamer yet more spiritless and dull?