Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/79

BOOK III.] Had waited on some Fairy's wand, at once

Behold me rich in monies, and attired

In splendid garb, with hose of silk, and hair

Powdered like rimy trees, when frost is keen.

My lordly dressing-gown, I pass it by,

With other signs of manhood that supplied

The lack of beard.—The weeks went roundly on,

With invitations, suppers, wine and fruit,

Smooth housekeeping within, and all without

Liberal, and suiting gentleman's array.

The Evangelist St. John my patron was:

Three Gothic courts are his, and in the first

Was my abiding-place, a nook obscure;

Right underneath, the College kitchens made

A humming sound, less tuneable than bees,

But hardly less industrious; with shrill notes

Of sharp command and scolding intermixed.

Near me hung Trinity's loquacious clock,

Who never let the quarters, night or day,

Slip by him unproclaimed, and told the hours

Twice over with a male and female voice.

Her pealing organ was my neighbour too;

And from my pillow, looking forth by light

Of moon or favouring stars, I could behold