Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/346

324 And through a perfect happiness of soul,

Whose variegated feelings were in this

Sisters, that they were each some new delight.

Birds in the bower, and lambs in the green field,

Could they have known her, would have loved; methought

Her very presence such a sweetness breathed,

That flowers, and trees, and even the silent hills,

And every thing she looked on, should have had

An intimation how she bore herself

Towards them and to all creatures. God delights

In such a being; for her common thoughts

Are piety, her life is gratitude.

Even like this maid, before I was called forth

From the retirement of my native hills,

I loved whate'er I saw: nor lightly loved,

But most intensely; never dreamt of aught

More grand, more fair, more exquisitely framed

Than those few nooks to which my happy feet

Were limited. I had not at that time

Lived long enough, nor in the least survived

The first diviner influence of this world,

As it appears to unaccustomed eyes.

Worshipping then among the depth of things,

As piety ordained; could I submit