Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/392

366 Truth's consecrated residence, the seat

Impregnable, of Liberty and Peace.

And yet, O happy Pastor of a Flock

Faithfully watched, and by that loving care

And heaven's good providence preserved from taint!

With You I grieve, when on the darker side

Of this great change I look; and there behold,

Through strong temptation of those gainful Arts,

Such outrage done to Nature as compels

The indignant Power to justify herself;

Yea to avenge her violated rights

For England's bane.—When soothing darkness spreads

O'er hill and vale," the Wanderer thus expressed

His recollections, "and the punctual stars,

While all things else are gathering to their homes,

Advance, and in the firmament of heaven

Glitter—but undisturbing, undisturbed,

As if their silent company were charged

With peaceful admonitions for the heart

Of all-beholding Man, earth's thoughtful Lord;

Then, in full many a region, once like this