Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/434

408 The Lady whispered, while we stood and gazed

Gathered together, all, in still delight,

Not without awe. Thence passing on, she said

In like low voice to my particular ear,

"I love to hear that eloquent Old Man

Pour forth his meditations, and descant

On human life from infancy to age.

How pure his spirit! in what vivid hues

His mind gives back the various forms of things,

Caught in their fairest, happiest attitude!

While he is speaking I have power to see

Even as he sees; but when his voice hath ceased,

Then, with a sigh I sometimes feel, as now,

That combinations so serene and bright,

Like those reflected in yon quiet Pool,

Cannot be lasting in a world like ours,

To great and small disturbances exposed."

More had she said—but sportive shouts were heard;

Sent from the jocund hearts of those two Boys,

Who, bearing each a basket on his arm,

Down the green field came tripping after us.

—When we had cautiously embarked, the Pair

Now for a prouder service were addrest;