Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/284

262 How widely spread the boughs, of that old tree

Which, as a deadly mischief, and a foul

And black dishonour, France was weary of.

Oh, happy time of youthful lovers, (thus

The story might begin). Oh, balmy time,

In which a love-knot, on a lady's brow,

Is fairer than the fairest star in Heaven!

So might—and with that prelude did begin

The record; and, in faithful verse, was given

The doleful sequel.

But our little bark

On a strong river boldly hath been launched;

And from the driving current should we turn

To loiter wilfully within a creek,

Howe'er attractive, Fellow voyager!

Would' st thou not chide? Yet deem not my pains lost:

For Vaudracour and Julia (so were named

The ill-fated pair) in that plain tale will draw

Tears from the hearts of others, when their own

Shall beat no more. Thou, also, there mayst read,

At leisure, how the enamoured youth was driven,

By public power abased, to fatal crime,

Nature's rebellion against monstrous law;

How, between heart and heart, oppression thrust