Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/199

173 With answering Constellations, under earth

Removed from all approach of living sight,

But present to the Dead; who, so they deemed,

Like those celestial Messengers, beheld

All accidents, and Judges were of all.

The lively Grecian, in a Land of hills,

Rivers, and fertile plains, and sounding shores,

Under a cope of variegated sky,

Could find commodious place for every God,

Promptly received, as prodigally brought,

From the surrounding Countries—at the choice

Of all Adventurers. With unrivalled skill,

As nicest observation furnished hints

For studious fancy, did his hand bestow

On fluent Operations a fixed Shape;

Metal or Stone, idolatrously served.

And yet—triumphant o'er this pompous show

Of Art, this palpable array of Sense,

On every side encountered; in despite

Of the gross fictions, chaunted in the streets

By wandering Rhapsodists; and in contempt

Of doubt and bold denials hourly urged