Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/382

356 And its devotion gradually decline,

(While War, relinquishing the lance and shield,

Her temper changed and bowed to other laws)

Had also witnessed, in his morn of life,

That violent Commotion, which o'erthrew,

In town, and city, and sequestered glen,

Altar, and Cross, and Church of solemn roof,

And old religious House—Pile after Pile;

And shook the Tenants out into the fields,

Like wild Beasts without home! Their hour was come;

But why no softening thought of gratitude,

No just remembrance, scruple, or wise doubt?

Benevolence is mild; nor borrows help,

Save at worst need, from bold impetuous force,

Fitliest allied to anger and revenge.

But Human-kind rejoices in the might

Of Mutability, and airy Hopes,

Dancing around her, hinder and disturb

Those meditations of the soul, which feed

The retrospective Virtues. Festive songs

Break from the maddened Nations at the sight

Of sudden overthrow; and cold neglect

Is the sure consequence of slow decay.