Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/95

69 Forgetfully; uncalled upon to pay

The common penalties of mortal life.

Sickness, or accident, or grief, or pain

On these and other kindred thoughts intent,

In silence by my Comrade's side I lay,

He also silent: when from out the heart

Of that profound Abyss a solemn Voice,

Or several Voices in one solemn sound,

Was heard—ascending: mournful, deep, and slow

The cadence, as of Psalms—a funeral dirge!

We listened, looking down towards the Hut,

But seeing no One: meanwhile from below

The strain continued, spiritual as before;

And now distinctly could I recognize

These words;—"Shall in the Grave thy love be known,

In Death thy faithfulness?"—"God rest his Soul,"

The Wanderer cried, abruptly breaking silence,

"He is departed, and finds peace at last!"

This scarcely spoken, and those holy strains

Not ceasing, forth appeared in view a band

Of rustic Persons, from behind the hut