Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/281

255 "He loved," the vicar answered, "deeply loved,

Loved fondly, truly, fervently; and pined

When he had told his love, and sued in vain,

—Rejected—yea repelled—and, if with scorn

Upon the haughty maiden's brow, 'tis but

A high-prized plume which female Beauty wears.

That he could brook, and glory in;—but when

The tidings came that she whom he had wooed

Was wedded to another, and his heart

Was forced to rend away its only hope,

Then, Pity could have scarcely found on earth

An Object worthier of regard than he,

In the transition of that bitter hour!

Lost was she, lost; nor could the sufferer say

That in the act of preference he had been

Unjustly dealt with; but the Maid was gone!

She, whose dear name with unregarded sighs

He long had blessed, whose Image was preserved—

Shrined in his breast with fond idolatry,

Had vanished from his prospects and desires;

Not by translation to the heavenly Choir

Who have put off their mortal spoils—ah no!

She lives another's wishes to complete,