Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/38

16 The last autumnal crocus, 'twas my joy

With store of springes o'er my shoulder hung

To range the open heights where woodcocks run

Along the smooth green turf. Through half the night,

Scudding away from snare to snare, I plied

That anxious visitation;—moon and stars

Were shining o'er my head. I was alone,

And seemed to be a trouble to the peace

That dwelt among them. Sometimes it befel

In these night wanderings, that a strong desire

O'erpowered my better reason, and the bird

Which was the captive of another's toil

Became my prey; and when the deed was done

I heard among the solitary hills

Low breathings coming after me, and sounds

Of undistinguishable motion, steps

Almost as silent as the turf they trod.

Nor less when spring had warmed the cultured Vale,

Moved we as plunderers where the mother-bird

Had in high places built her lodge; though mean

Our object and inglorious, yet the end

Was not ignoble. Oh! when I have hung

Above the raven's nest, by knots of grass

And half-inch fissures in the slippery rock