Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/263

BOOK IX.] With motion constant as his own, I went

Prepared to sojourn in a pleasant town,

Washed by the current of the stately Loire.

Through Paris lay my readiest course, and there

Sojourning a few days, I visited,

In haste, each spot of old or recent fame,

The latter chiefly; from the field of Mars

Down to the suburbs of St. Antony,

And from Mont Martyr southward to the Dome

Of Geneviève. In both her clamorous Halls,

The National Synod and the Jacobins,

I saw the Revolutionary Power

Toss like a ship at anchor, rocked by storms;

The Arcades I traversed, in the Palace huge

Of Orleans; coasted round and round the line

Of Tavern, Brothel, Gaming-house, and Shop,

Great rendezvous of worst and best, the walk

Of all who had a purpose, or had not;

I stared and listened, with a stranger's ears,

To Hawkers and Haranguers, hubbub wild!

And hissing Factionists with ardent eyes,

In knots, or pairs, or single. Not a look

Hope takes, or Doubt or Fear is forced to wear,

But seemed there present; and I scanned them all,