Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/379

353 Yet free from touch of envious discontent,

They saw a Mansion at his bidding rise,

Like a bright star, amid the lowly band

Of their rude Homesteads. Here the Warrior dwelt,

And in that Mansion Children of his own,

Or Kindred, gathered round him. As a Tree

That falls and disappears, the House is gone;

And, through improvidence, or want of love

For ancient worth and honourable things,

The spear and shield are vanished, which the Knight

Huns in his rustic Hall. One ivied arch

Myself have seen, a gateway, last remains

Of that Foundation in domestic care

Raised by his hands. And now no trace is left

Of the mild-hearted Champion, save this Stone,

Faithless memorial! and his family name

Borne by yon clustering cottages, that sprang

From out the ruins of his stately Lodge:

These, and the name and title at full length,—

Sir Alfred Irthing, with appropriate words

Accompanied, still extant, in a wreath

Or posy—girding round the several fronts