Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/174

148 Sorrow proceeds, which else were not;—at least,

If Grief be something hallowed and ordained,

If, in proportion, it be just and meet,

Through this, 'tis able to maintain its hold,

In that excess which Conscience disapproves.

For who could sink and settle to that point

Of selfishness; so senseless who could be

In framing estimates of loss and gain,

As long and perseveringly to mourn

For any Object of his love, removed

From this unstable world, if he could fix

A satisfying view upon that state

Of pure, imperishable blessedness,

Which Reason promises, and holy Writ

Ensures to all Believers?—Yet mistrust

Is of such incapacity, methinks,

No natural branch; despondency far less.

—And, if there be whose tender frames have drooped

Even to the dust; apparently, through weight

Of anguish unrelieved, and lack of power

An agonizing sorrow to transmute,

Infer not hence a hope from those withheld

When wanted most; a confidence impaired