Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/357

 BOOK THIRTEENTH.

IMAGINATION AND TASTE, HOW IMPAIRED AND RESTORED.—(.)

Nature doth emotion come, and moods

Of calmness equally are Nature's gift:

This is her glory; these two attributes

Are sister horns that constitute her strength.

Hence Genius, born to thrive by interchange

Of peace and excitation, finds in her

His best and purest friend; from her receives

That energy by which he seeks the truth,

From her that happy stillness of the mind

Which fits him to receive it when unsought.

Such benefit the humblest intellects

Partake of, each in their degree; 'tis mine

To speak, what I myself have known and felt;

Smooth task! for words find easy way, inspired