Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/438

412 Of that wild Spot, the Solitary said

In a low voice, yet careless who might hear,

"The Fire, that burned so brightly to our wish,

Where is it now? Deserted on the beach

It seems extinct; nor shall the fanning breeze

Revive its ashes. What care we for this,

Whose ends are gained? Behold an emblem here

Of one day's pleasure, and all mortal joys!

And, in this unpremeditated slight

Of that which is no longer needed, see

The common course of human gratitude!"

This plaintive note disturbed not the repose

Of the still evening. Right across the Lake

Our pinnace moves: then, coasting creek and bay,

Glades we behold—and into thickets peep—

Where couch the spotted deer; or raised our eyes

To shaggy steeps on which the careless goat

Browzed by the side of dashing waterfalls.

Thus did the Bark, meandering with the shore,

Pursue her voyage, till a point was gained

Where a projecting line of rock, that framed

A natural pier, invited us to land.