Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/229

203 The Spots where such abide! But happier still

The Man, whom, furthermore, a hope attends

That meditation and research may guide

His privacy to principles and powers

Discovered, or invented; or set forth

Through his acquaintance with the ways of truth,

In lucid order; so that, when his course

Is run, some faithful Eulogist may say,

He sought not praise, and praise did overlook

His inobtrusive merit; but his life,

Sweet to himself, was exercised in good

That shall survive his name and memory.

Acknowledgments of gratitude sincere

Accompanied these musings;—fervent thanks

For my own peaceful lot and happy choice;

A choice that from the passions of the world

Withdrew, and fixed me in a still retreat,

Sheltered, but not to social duties lost,

Secluded, but not buried; and with song

Cheering my days, and with industrious thought,

With the ever-welcome company of books