Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/31

5 But stout and hale, for travel unimpaired.

There was he seen upon the Cottage bench,

Recumbent in the shade, as if asleep;

An iron-pointed staff lay at his side.

Him had I marked the day before—alone

And in the middle of the public way

Stationed, as if to rest himself, with face

Turned tow'rds the sun then setting, while that staff

Afforded to his Figure, as he stood,

Detained for contemplation or repose,

Graceful support; the countenance of the Man

Was hidden from my view, and he himself

Unrecognized; but, stricken by the sight,

With slackened footsteps I advanced, and soon

A glad congratulation we exchanged

At such unthought-of meeting.—For the night

We parted, nothing willingly; and now

He by appointment waited for me here,

Beneath the shelter of these clustering elms.

We were tried Friends: I from my Childhood up

Had known him.—In a little Town obscure,