Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/270

244 To pity dead—the Oppressor and the Oppressed;

Tyrants who utter the destroying word,

And Slaves who will consent to be destroyed;

Were of one species with the sheltered few,

Who with a dutiful and tender hand

Did lodge, in an appropriated spot,

This file of Infants; some that never breathed

The vital air; and others, who, allowed

That privilege, did yet expire too soon,

Or with too brief a warning, to admit

Administration of the holy rite

That lovingly consigns the Babe to the arms

Of Jesus, and his everlasting care.

These that in trembling hope are laid apart:

And the besprinkled Nursling, unrequired

Till he begins to smile upon the breast

That feeds him; and the tottering Little-one

Taken from air and sunshine when the rose

Of Infancy first blooms upon his cheek;

The thinking, thoughtless School-boy; the bold Youth

Of soul impetuous, and the bashful Maid

Smitten while all the promises of life

Are opening round her; those of middle age,