Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/310

284 Her prostrate frame with unrelaxing power,

As the fierce Eagle fastens on the Lamb.

She prayed, she moaned—her Husband's Sister watched

Her dreary pillow, waited on her needs;

And yet the very sound of that kind foot

Was anguish to her ears!—"And must she rule,"

This was the dying Woman heard to say

In bitterness, "and must she rule and reign,

"Sole Mistress of this house, when I am gone?

"Sit by my fire—possess what I possessed—

"Tend what I tended—calling it her own!"

Enough;—I fear, too much.—Of nobler feeling

Take this example.—One autumnal evening,

While she was yet in prime of health and strength,

I well remember, while I passed her door,

Musing with loitering step, and upward eye

Turned tow'rds the planet Jupiter, that hung

Above the centre of the Vale, a voice

Roused me, her voice; it said, "That glorious Star

"In its untroubled element will shine

"As now it shines, when we are laid in earth

"And safe from all our sorrows."—She is safe,