Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/383

357 —Even," said the Wanderer, "as that courteous Knight,

Bound by his vow to labour for redress

Of all who suffer wrong, and to enact

By sword and lance the law of gentleness,

If I may venture of myself to speak,

Trusting that not incongruously I blend

Low things with lofty, I too shall be doomed

To outlive the kindly use and fair esteem

Of the poor calling which my Youth embraced

With no unworthy prospect. But enough;

—Thoughts crowd upon me—and 'twere seemlier now

To stop, and yield our gracious Teacher thanks

For the pathetic Records which his voice

Hath here delivered; words of heartfelt truth,

Tending to patience when Affliction strikes;

To hope and love; to confident repose

In God; and reverence for the dust of Man."