Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/405

379 Was pointedly addressed; and to the thoughts

Which, in assent or opposition, rose

Within his mind, he seemed prepared to give

Prompt utterance; but, rising from our seat,

The hospitable Vicar interposed

With invitation earnestly renewed.

—We followed, taking as he led, a Path

Along a Hedge of stately hollies framed,

Whose flexile boughs, descending with a weight

Of leafy spray, concealed the stems and roots

That gave them nourishment. How sweet methought,

When the fierce wind comes howling from the north,

How grateful, this impenetrable screen!

Not shaped by simple wearing of the foot

On rural business passing to and fro

Was the commodious Walk; a careful hand

Had marked the line, and strewn the surface o'er

With pure cerulean gravel, from the heights

Fetched by the neighbouring brook.—Across the Vale

The stately Fence accompanied our steps;

And thus the Pathway, by perennial green

Guarded and graced, seemed fashioned to unite,