Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/260

234 But humbleness of heart descends from heaven;

And that best gift of heaven hath fallen on them;

Abundant recompence for every want.

—Stoop from your height, ye proud, and copy these!

Who, in their noiseless dwelling-place, can hear

The voice of wisdom whispering scripture texts

For the mind's government, or temper's peace;

And recommending, for their mutual need,

Forgiveness, patience, hope, and charity!"

"Much was I pleased," the grey-haired Wanderer said,

"When to those shining fields our notice first

You turned; and yet more pleased have from your lips

Gathered this fair report of those who dwell

In that Retirement; whither, by such course

Of evil hap and good as oft awaits

A lone way-faring Man, I once was brought.

Dark on my road the autumnal evening fell

While I was traversing yon mountain-pass,

And night succeeded with unusual gloom;

So that my feet and hands at length became

Guides better than mine eyes—until a light

High in the gloom appeared, too high, methought,