Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/231

BOOK VIII.] And with the ruddy produce, she walks round

Among the crowd, half pleased with half ashamed

Of her new office, blushing restlessly.

The children now are rich, for the old to-day

Are generous as the young; and, if content

With looking on, some ancient wedded pair

Sit in the shade together, while they gaze,

"A cheerful smile unbends the wrinkled brow,

The days departed start again to life,

And all the scenes of childhood reappear,

Faint, but more tranquil, like the changing sun

To him who slept at noon and wakes at eve." (9)

Thus gaiety and cheerfulness prevail,

Spreading from young to old, from old to young,

And no one seems to want his share.—Immense

Is the recess, the circumambient world

Magnificent, by which they are embraced:

They move about upon the soft green turf:

How little they, they and their doings, seem,

And all that they can further or obstruct!

Through utter weakness pitiably dear,

As tender infants are: and yet how great!

For all things serve them: them the morning light

Loves, as it glistens on the silent rocks;

And them the silent rocks, which now from high