Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/99

BOOK III.] To something that resembles an approach

Towards human business, to a privileged world

Within a world, a midway residence

With all its intervenient imagery,

Did better suit my visionary mind,

Far better, than to have been bolted forth,

Thrust out abruptly into Fortune's way

Among the conflicts of substantial life;

By a more just gradation did lead on

To higher things; more naturally matured,

For permanent possession, better fruits,

Whether of truth or virtue, to ensue.

In serious mood, but oftener, I confess,

With playful zest of fancy did we note

(How could we less?) the manners and the ways

Of those who lived distinguished by the badge

Of good or ill report; or those with whom

By frame of Academic discipline

We were perforce connected, men whose sway

And known authority of office served

To set our minds on edge, and did no more.

Nor wanted we rich pastime of this kind,

Found everywhere, but chiefly in the ring

Of the grave Elders, men unscoured, grotesque

In character, tricked out like aged trees