Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/307

281 Towered like the imperial Thistle, not unfurnished

With its appropriate grace, yet rather framed

To be admired, than coveted and loved.

Even at that age, she ruled as sovereign Queen

Among her Play-mates; else their simple sports

Had wanted power to occupy a mind

Held in subjection by a strong controul

Of studious application, self-imposed.

Books were her creditors; to them she paid,

With pleasing, anxious eagerness, the hours

Which they exacted; were it time allowed,

Or seized upon by stealth, or fairly won,

By stretch of industry, from other tasks.

—Oh! pang of sorrowful regret for them

Whom, in their youth, sweet study has enthralled,

That they have lived for harsher servitude,

Whether in soul, in body, or estate!

Such doom was hers; yet nothing could subdue

Her keen desire of knowledge; or efface

Those brighter images—by books impressed

Upon her memory; faithfully as stars

That occupy their places,—and, though oft