Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/437

411 One spirit animating old and young,

A gypsy fire we kindled on the shore

Of the fair Isle with birch-trees fringed—and there

Merrily seated in a ring, partook

The beverage drawn from China's fragrant herb.

—Launched from our hands the smooth stone skimmed the Lake;

With shouts we roused the echoes;—stiller sounds

The lovely Girl supplied—a simple song,

Whose low tones reached not to the distant rocks

To be repeated there, but gently sank

Into our hearts; and charmed the peaceful flood.

Rapaciously we gathered flowery spoils

From land and water; Lillies of each hue—

Golden and white, that float upon the waves

And court the wind; and leaves of that shy Plant,

(Her flowers were shed) the Lilly of the Vale,

That loves the ground, and from the sun withholds

Her pensive beauty, from the breeze her sweets.

Such product, and such pastime did the place

And season yield; but, as we re-embarked,

Leaving, in quest of other scenes, the shore