Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/207

181 Detains; but tempted now to interpose

He with a smile exclaimed—

"'Tis well you speak

At a safe distance from our native Land,

And from the Mansions where our youth was taught.

The true Descendants of those godly Men

Who swept from Scotland, in a flame of zeal,

Shrine, Altar, Image, and the massy Piles

That harboured them,—the Souls retaining yet

The churlish features of that after Race

Who fled to caves, and woods, and naked rocks,

In deadly scorn of superstitious rites,

Or what their scruples construed to be such,

How, think you, would they tolerate this scheme

Of fine propensities? that tends, if urged

Far as it might be urged, to sow afresh

The weeds of Romish Phantasy, in vain

Uprooted; would re-consecrate our Wells

To good Saint Fillan and to fair Saint Anne;

And from long banishment recal Saint Giles,

To watch again with tutelary love

O'er stately Edinborough throned on crags.

A blessed restoration to behold