Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/73

47 The Old Man ceased: he saw that I was moved;

From that low Bench, rising instinctively

I turn'd aside in weakness, nor had power

To thank him for the Tale which he had told.

I stood, and leaning o'er the Garden wall,

Reviewed that Woman's sufferings; and it seemed

To comfort me while with a Brother's love

I bless'd her—in the impotence of grief.

At length towards the Cottage I returned

Fondly,—and traced, with interest more mild,

That secret spirit of humanity

Which, mid the calm oblivious tendencies

Of Nature, mid her plants, and weeds, and flowers,

And silent overgrowings, still survived.

The Old Man, noting this, resumed, and said,

"My Friend! enough to sorrow you have given,

The purposes of wisdom ask no more;

Be wise and chearful; and no longer read

The forms of things with an unworthy eye.

She sleeps in the calm earth, and peace is here.

I well remember that those very plumes,

Those weeds, and the high spear-grass on that wall,