Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/357

331 A slow disease insensibly consumed

The powers of nature; and a few short steps

Of friends and kindred bore him from his home

(Yon Cottage shaded by the woody crags)

To the profounder stillness of the grave.

—Nor was his funeral denied the grace

Of many tears, virtuous and thoughtful grief;

Heart-sorrow rendered sweet by gratitude.

And now that monumental Stone preserves

His name, and unambitiously relates

How long, and by what kindly outward aids,

And in what pure contentedness of mind,

The sad privation was by him endured.

—And yon tall Pine-tree, whose composing sound

Was wasted on the good Man's living ear,

Hath now its own peculiar sanctity;

And, at the touch of every wandering breeze,

Murmurs, not idly, o'er his peaceful grave.

Soul-cheering Light, most bountiful of Things!

Guide of our way, mysterious Comforter!

Whose sacred influence, spread through earth and heaven,

We all too thanklessly participate,