Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/391

BOOK XIV.] Vast prospect of the world which I had been

And was; and hence this Song, which like a lark

I have protracted, in the unwearied heavens

Singing, and often with more plaintive voice

To earth attempered and her deep-drawn sighs,

Yet centring all in love, and in the end

All gratulant, if rightly understood.

Whether to me shall be allotted life,

And, with life, power to accomplish aught of worth,

That will be deemed no insufficient plea

For having given the story of myself,

Is all uncertain: but, beloved Friend!

When, looking back, thou seest, in clearer view

Than any liveliest sight of yesterday,

That summer, under whose indulgent skies,

Upon smooth Quantock's airy ridge we roved

Unchecked, or loitered 'mid her sylvan combs,

Thou in bewitching words, with happy heart,

Didst chaunt the vision of that Ancient Man,

The bright-eyed Mariner, and rueful woes

Didst utter of the Lady Christabel;

And I, associate with such labour, steeped

In soft forgetfulness the livelong hours,

Murmuring of him who, joyous hap, was found,