Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/454

428 sentiment; for he says, "These were made by a good Being, who, unsought by me, placed me here to enjoy them." He becomes at once a Child and a King. His mind is in himself; from hence he argues, and from hence he acts; and he argues unerringly and acts magisterially: His mind in himself is also in his God; and therefore he loves, and therefore he soars."—From the Notes upon The Hurricane, a Poem, by William Gilbert.

The Reader, I am sure, will thank me for the above Quotation, which, though from a strange book, is one of the finest passages of modern English Prose.

See, upon this subject, Baxter's most interesting review of his own opinions and sentiments in the decline of life. It may be found (lately reprinted) in Dr. Wordsworth's Ecclesiastical Biography.

This subject is treated at length in the Ode at the conclusion of the second volume of Poems by the Author.

P. 155. L. 22.—"Knowing"—(to adopt the energetic words."

The passage quoted from Daniel is taken from a poem addressed to the Lady Margaret, Countess of Cumberland, and the two last lines, printed in Italics, are by him translated from Seneca. The whole Poem is very beautiful. I will transcribe four stanzas from it, as they contain an admirable picture of the state of a wise Man's mind in a time of public commotion.