Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/298

272 Doth, by a rapture of forgetfulness,

Preclude forgiveness, from the praise debarred,

Which else the Christian Virtue might have claimed.

—There live who yet remember here to have seen

Their courtly Figures,—seated on the stump

Of an old Yew, their favourite resting-place.

But, as the Remnant of the long-lived Tree

Was disappearing by a swift decay,

They, with joint care, determined to erect,

Upon its site, a Dial, which should stand

For public use; and also might survive

As their own private monument; for this

Was the particular spot, in which they wished,

(And Heaven was pleased to accomplish the desire)

That, undivided, their Remains should lie.

So, where the mouldered Tree had stood, was raised

Yon Structure, framing, with the ascent of steps

That to the decorated Pillar lead,

A work of art, more sumptuous, as might seem,

Than suits this Place; yet built in no proud scorn

Of rustic homeliness; they only aimed

To ensure for it respectful guardianship.

Around the margin of the Plate, whereon