Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/424

398 Strange, should he deal herein with nice respects,

And frustrate all the rest! Believe it not:

The primal duties shine aloft—like stars;

The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless,

Are scattered at the feet of Man—like flowers.

The generous inclination, the just rule,

Kind wishes, and good actions, and pure thoughts—

No mystery is here; no special boon

For high and not for low, for proudly graced

And not for meek of heart. The smoke ascends

To heaven as lightly from the Cottage hearth

As from the haughty palace. He, whose soul

Ponders this true equality, may walk

The fields of earth with gratitude and hope;

Yet, in that meditation, will he find

Motive to sadder grief, as we have found,—

Lamenting ancient virtues overthrown,

And for the injustice grieving, that hath made

So wide a difference betwixt Man and Man.

But let us rather fix our gladdened thoughts

Upon the brighter scene. How blest that Pair

Of blooming Boys (whom we beheld even now)