Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/368

346 And elevated most when most admired.

Men may be found of other mould than these,

Who are their own upholders, to themselves

Encouragement, and energy, and will,

Expressing liveliest thoughts in lively words

As native passion dictates. Others, too,

There are among the walks of homely life

Still higher, men for contemplation framed,

Shy, and unpractised in the strife of phrase;

Meek men, whose very souls perhaps would sink

Beneath them, summoned to such intercourse:

Theirs is the language of the heavens, the power,

The thought, the image, and the silent joy:

Words are but under-agents in their souls;

When they are grasping with their greatest strength,

They do not breathe among them: this I speak

In gratitude to God, Who feeds our hearts

For His own service; knoweth, loveth us,

When we are unregarded by the world.

Also, about this time did I receive

Convictions still more strong than heretofore,

Not only that the inner frame is good,

And graciously composed, but that, no less,

Nature for all conditions wants not power