Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/340

314 To their inventive humour, by stern looks,

And questions in authoritative tone,

From some staid Guardian of the public peace,

Checking the sober steed on which he rode,

In his suspicious wisdom: oftener still,

By notice indirect or blunt demand

From Traveller halting in his own despite,

A simple curiosity to ease.

Of which adventures, that beguiled and cheered

Their grave migration, the good Pair would tell,

"With undiminished glee, in hoary age.

A Priest he was by function; but his course

From his youth up, and high as manhood's noon,

(The hour of life to which he then was brought)

Had been irregular; I might say, wild:

By books unsteadied, by his pastoral care

Too little checked. An active, ardent mind;

A fancy pregnant with resource and scheme

To cheat the sadness of a rainy day:

Hands apt for all ingenious arts and games;

A generous spirit, and a body strong

To cope with stoutest Champions of the bowl;