Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/370

344 To the wide-ruling Eagle, and his hand

Was loth to assault the majesty he loved;

Else had the strongest fastnesses proved weak

To guard the royal brood. The sailing glead,

The wheeling swallow, and the darting snipe,

The sportive sea-gull dancing with the waves,

And cautious water-fowl, from distant climes,

Fixed at their seat—the centre of the Mere,

Were subject to young Oswald's steady aim.

From Gallia's coast a Tyrant's threats were hurled;

Our Country marked the preparations vast

Of hostile Forces; and she called—with voice

That filled her plains and reached her utmost shores

And in remotest vales was heard—to Arms!

—Then, for the first time, here you might have seen

The Shepherd's grey to martial scarlet changed,

That flashed uncouthly through the woods and fields.

Ten hardy Striplings, all in bright attire

And graced with shining weapons, weekly marched,

From this lone valley, to a central spot

Where, in assemblage with the Flower and Choice

Of the surrounding district, they might learn