may these words attest How oft, to elevate our spirits, shone Thy visionary majesties of light, How in thy pensive glooms our hearts found rest." Sonnet to Wansfell, p. 251. TO MRS. MARSHALL FROM DOROTHY WORDSWORTH RYDAL MOUNT, Thursday morning, 1813. Arrived yesterday. The weather is delightful, and the place a paradise; but my inner thoughts will go back to Grasmere. I was the last person who left the house yesterday evening. It seemed as quiet as the grave; and the very churchyard, where our dead lie, when I gave a last look upon it, seemed to cheer my thoughts. Then I could think of life and immortality. The house only reminded me of desolate gloom, emptiness, and cheerless silence. But why do I turn to these things? The morning is bright, and I am more cheerful. DOROTHY WORDSWORTH. "WANSFELL! THIS HOUSEHOLD HAS A FAVOURED LOT" WANSFELL! this Household has a favoured lot, Living with liberty on thee to gaze, To watch while Morn first crowns thee with her rays, Or when along thy breast serenely float Evening's angelic clouds. Yet ne'er a note Hath sounded (shame upon the Bard!) thy praise Bountiful Son of Earth! when we are gone From every object dear to mortal sight, As soon we shall be, may these words attest How oft, to elevate our spirits, shone Thy visionary majesties of light, How in thy pensive glooms our hearts found rest. "THE MASSY WAYS, CARRIED ACROSS THESE HEIGHTS " 1 THE massy Ways, carried across these heights Or hidden under ground, like sleeping worms. Shall he frequent these precincts; locked no more In earnest converse with beloved Friends, Here will he gather stores of ready bliss, As from the beds and borders of a garden Choice flowers are gathered! But, if Power may spring Out of a farewell yearning-favoured more 1 The walk is what we call the Far-terrace, beyond the summer-house at Rydal Mount. The lines were written when we were afraid of being obliged to quit the place to which we were so much attached. (Wordsworth's Note.) |