Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/323

297 —Meek Saint! through patience glorified on earth!

In whom, as by her lonely hearth she sate,

The ghastly face of cold decay put on

A sun-like beauty, and appeared divine!

May I not mention—that, within these walls,

In due observance of her pious wish,

The Congregation joined with me in prayer

For her Soul's good? Nor was that office vain.

—Much did she suffer: but, if any Friend,

Beholding her condition, at the sight

Gave way to words of pity or complaint,

She stilled them with a prompt reproof, and said,

"He who afflicts me knows what I can bear;

"And, when I fail, and can endure no more,

"Will mercifully take me to himself."

So, through the cloud of death, her Spirit passed

Into that pure and unknown world of love,

Where injury cannot come:—and here is laid

The mortal Body by her Infant's side."

The Vicar ceased; and downcast looks made known

That Each had listened with his inmost heart.

For me, the emotion scarcely was less strong