Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/87

BOOK III.] And independent musings pleased me so

That spells seemed on me when I was alone,

Yet could I only cleave to solitude

In lonely places; if a throng was near

That way I leaned by nature; for my heart

Was social, and loved idleness and joy.

Not seeking those who might participate

My deeper pleasures (nay, I had not once,

Though not unused to mutter lonesome songs,

Even with myself divided such delight,

Or looked that way for aught that might be clothed

In human language), easily I passed

From the remembrances of better things,

And slipped into the ordinary works

Of careless youth, unburthened, unalarmed.

Caverns there were within my mind which sun

Could never penetrate, yet did there not

Want store of leafy arbours where the light

Might enter in at will. Companionships,

Friendships, acquaintances, were welcome all.

We sauntered, played, or rioted; we talked

Unprofitable talk at morning hours;

Drifted about along the streets and walks,

Read lazily in trivial books, went forth