Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/98

76 Of our scholastic studies; could have wished

To see the river flow with ampler range

And freer pace; but more, far more, I grieved

To see displayed among an eager few,

Who in the field of contest persevered,

Passions unworthy of youth's generous heart

And mounting spirit, pitiably repaid,

When so disturbed, whatever palms are won.

From these I turned to travel with the shoal

Of more unthinking natures, easy minds

And pillowy; yet not wanting love that makes

The day pass lightly on, when foresight sleeps,

And wisdom and the pledges interchanged

With our own inner being are forgot.

Yet was this deep vacation not given up

To utter waste. Hitherto I had stood

In my own mind remote from social life,

(At least from what we commonly so name,)

Like a lone shepherd on a promontory

Who lacking occupation looks far forth

Into the boundless sea, and rather makes

Than finds what he beholds. And sure it is,

That this first transit from the smooth delights

And wild outlandish walks of simple youth