Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/321

295 So call her; for not only she bewailed

A Mother's loss, but mourned in bitterness

Her own transgression; Penitent sincere

As ever raised to Heaven a streaming eye.

—At length the Parents of the Foster-child

Noting that in despite of their commands

She still renewed, and could not but renew,

Those visitations, ceased to send her forth;

Or, to the garden's narrow bounds, confined.

I failed not to remind them that they erred:

For holy Nature might not thus be crossed,

Thus wronged in woman's breast: in vain I pleaded:

But the green stalk of Ellen's life was snapped

And the flower drooped; as every eye could see,

It hung its head in mortal languishment.

—Aided by this appearance I at length

Prevailed; and, from those bonds released, she went

Home to her mother's house. The Youth was fled;

The rash Betrayer could not face the shame

Or sorrow which his senseless guilt had caused;

And little would his presence, or proof given

Of a relenting soul, have now availed;

For, like a shadow, he was passed away