Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/408

382 And with a pretty restless hand of love.

—We enter;—need I tell the courteous guise

In which the Lady of the place received

Our little Band, with salutation meet

To each accorded? Graceful was her port;

A lofty stature undepressed by Time,

Whose visitation had not spared to touch

The finer lineaments of frame and face;

To that complexion brought which prudence trusts in

And wisdom loves.—But when a stately Ship

Sails in smooth weather by the placid coast

On homeward voyage, what—if wind and wave,

And hardship undergone in various climes,

Have caused her to abate the virgin pride,

And that full trim of inexperienced hope

With which she left her haven—not for this,

Should the sun strike her, and the impartial breeze

Play on her streamers, doth she fail to assume

Brightness and touching beauty of her own,

That charm all eyes. So bright to us appeared

This goodly Matron, shining in the beams

Of unexpected pleasure. Soon the board

Was spread, and we partook a plain repast.