Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/151

125 Calm as a frozen Lake when ruthless Winds

Blow fiercely, agitating earth and sky,

The Mother now remained; as if in her,

Who, to the lowest region of the soul,

Had been erewhile unsettled and disturbed,

This second visitation had no power

To shake; but only to bind up and seal;

And to establish thankfulness of heart

In Heaven's determinations, ever just.

The eminence on which her spirit stood,

Mine was unable to attain. Immense

The space that severed us! But, as the sight

Communicates with heaven's etherial orbs

Incalculably distant; so, I felt

That consolation may descend from far;

(And that is intercourse, and union, too,)

While, overcome with speechless gratitude,

And with a holier love inspired, I looked

On her—at once superior to my woes

And Partner of my loss.—O heavy change!

Dimness o'er this clear Luminary crept

Insensibly;—the immortal and divine

Yielded to mortal reflux; her pure Glory,