Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/114

92 Conversed with promises, had glimmering views

How life pervades the undecaying mind;

How the immortal soul with God-like power

Informs, creates, and thaws the deepest sleep

That time can lay upon her; how on earth,

Man, if he do but live within the light

Of high endeavours, daily spreads abroad

His being armed with strength that cannot fail.

Nor was there want of milder thoughts, of love

Of innocence, and holiday repose;

And more than pastoral quiet, 'mid the stir

Of boldest projects, and a peaceful end

At last, or glorious, by endurance won.

Thus musing, in a wood I sate me down

Alone, continuing there to muse: the slopes

And heights meanwhile were slowly overspread

With darkness, and before a rippling breeze

The long lake lengthened out its hoary line,

And in the sheltered coppice where I sate,

Around me from among the hazel leaves,

Now here, now there, moved by the straggling wind,

Came ever and anon a breath-like sound,

Quick as the pantings of the faithful dog,

The off and on companion of my walk;

And such, at times, believing them to be,