Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/315

289 And small birds singing to their happy mates.

Wild is the music of the autumnal wind

Among the faded woods; but these blithe notes

Strike the deserted to the heart;—I speak

Of what I know, and what we feel within.

—Beside the Cottage in which Ellen dwelt

Stands a tall ash-tree; to whose topmost twig

A Thrush resorts, and annually chaunts,

At morn and evening, from that naked perch,

While all the undergrove is thick with leaves,

A time-beguiling ditty, for delight

Of his fond partner, silent in the nest.

—"Ah why," said Ellen, sighing to herself,

"Why do not words, and kiss, and solemn pledge;

"And nature that is kind in Woman's breast,

"And reason that in Man is wise and good,

"And fear of him who is a righteous Judge,

"Why do not these prevail for human life,

"To keep two Hearts together, that began

"Their spring-time with one love, and that have need

"Of mutual pity and forgiveness, sweet

"To grant, or be received, while that poor Bird,

"—O come and hear him! Thou who hast to me