Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/172

146 Glorious! because the shadow of thy might,

A step, or link, for intercourse with Thee.

Ah! if the time must come, in which my feet

No more shall stray where Meditation leads,

By flowing stream, through wood, or craggy wild,

Loved haunts like these, the unimprisoned Mind

May yet have scope to range among her own,

Her thoughts, her images, her high desires.

If the dear faculty of sight should fail,

Still, it may be allowed me to remember

What visionary powers of eye and soul

In youth were mine; when, stationed on the top

Of some huge hill—expectant, I beheld

The Sun rise up, from distant climes returned

Darkness to chase, and sleep, and bring the day

His bounteous gift! or saw him, tow'rds the Deep

Sink—with a retinue of flaming Clouds

Attended; then, my Spirit was entranced

With joy exalted to beatitude;

The measure of my soul was filled with bliss,

And holiest love; as earth, sea, air, with light,

With pomp, with glory, with magnificence!

Those fervent raptures are for ever flown;