Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/108

86 I did not step into the well-known boat

Without a cordial greeting. Thence with speed

Up the familiar hill I took my way

Towards that sweet Valley(4) where I had been reared;

'Twas but a short hour's walk, ere veering round

I saw the snow-white church upon her hill

Sit like a thronèd Lady, sending out

A gracious look all over her domain.

Yon azure smoke betrays the lurking town;

With eager footsteps I advance and reach

The cottage threshold where my journey closed.

Glad welcome had I, with some tears, perhaps,

From my old Dame, so kind and motherly,

While she perused me with a parent's pride.

The thoughts of gratitude shall fall like dew

Upon thy grave, good creature! While my heart

Can beat never will I forget thy name.

Heaven's blessing be upon thee where thou liest

After thy innocent and busy stir

In narrow cares, thy little daily growth

Of calm enjoyments, after eighty years,

And more than eighty, of untroubled life,

Childless, yet by the strangers to thy blood

Honoured with little less than filial love.

What joy was mine to see thee once again,