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As golden locks of birch, that rise and fall
On gales that breathe too gently to recall
Aught of the fading year's inclemency!

XXII.

TRADITION.

A love-lorn Maid, at some far-distant time, Came to this hidden pool, whose depths

surpass

In crystal clearness Dian's looking-glass; And, gazing, saw that Rose, which from the prime

Derives its name, reflected as the chime

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Of echo doth reverberate some sweet sound: The starry treasure from the blue profound She longed to ravish;-shall she plunge, or climb

ΙΟ

The humid precipice, and seize the guest
Of April, smiling high in upper air?
Desperate alternative! what fiend could dare
To prompt the thought?-Upon the steep rock's
breast

The lonely Primrose yet renews its bloom,
Untouched memento of her hapless doom!

XXIII.

SHEEP-WASHING.

SAD thoughts, avaunt!—partake we their blithe cheer

Who gathered in betimes the unshorn flock
To wash the fleece, where haply bands of rock,
Checking the stream, make a pool smooth
and clear

As this we look on. Distant Mountains hear, 5

Hear and repeat, the turmoil that unites
Clamour of boys with innocent despites

Of barking dogs, and bleatings from strange

fear.

ΙΟ

And what if Duddon's spotless flood receive
Unwelcome mixtures as the uncouth noise
Thickens, the pastoral River will forgive
Such wrong; nor need we blame the licensed
joys,

Though false to Nature's quiet equipoise:
Frank are the sports, the stains are fugitive.

XXIV.

THE RESTING-PLACE.

MID-NOON is past;-upon the sultry mead
No zephyr breathes, no cloud its shadow
throws:

If we advance unstrengthened by repose,
Farewell the solace of the vagrant reed!
This Nook-with woodbine hung and straggling
weed,

Tempting recess as ever pilgrim chose,
Half grot, half arbour-proffers to enclose
Body and mind, from molestation freed,
In narrow compass-narrow as itself:
Or if the Fancy, too industrious Elf,

5

ΙΟ

Be loth that we should breathe awhile exempt From new incitements friendly to our task, Here wants not stealthy prospect, that may tempt

Loose Idless to forego her wily mask.

XXV.

METHINKS 'twere no unprecedented feat

Should some benignant Minister of air

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Lift, and encircle with a cloudy chair,
The One for whom my heart shall ever beat
With tenderest love ;-or, if a safer seat
Atween his downy wings be furnished, there
Would lodge her, and the cherished burden
bear

O'er hill and valley to this dim retreat!

Rough ways my steps have trod ;-too rough and long

For her companionship; here dwells soft ease: With sweets that she partakes not some distaste

Mingles, and lurking consciousness of wrong; Languish the flowers; the waters seem to waste Their vocal charm; their sparklings cease to please.

XXVI.

RETURN, Content! for fondly I pursued,
Even when a child, the Streams-unheard,

unseen;

Through tangled woods, impending rocks between;

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Or, free as air, with flying inquest viewed
The sullen reservoirs whence their bold brood-
Pure as the morning, fretful, boisterous, keen,
Green as the salt-sea billows, white and

green

Poured down the hills, a choral multitude! Nor have I tracked their course for scanty

gains;

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They taught me random cares and truant joys, That shield from mischief and preserve from stains

Vague minds, while men are growing out of boys;

Maturer Fancy owes to their rough noise Impetuous thoughts that brook not servile

reins.

XXVII.

FALLEN, and diffused into a shapeless heap,
Or quietly self-buried in earth's mould,
Is that embattled House, whose massy Keep
Flung from yon cliff a shadow large and cold.
There dwelt the gay, the bountiful, the bold; 5
Till nightly lamentations, like the sweep

Of winds-though winds were silent-struck a deep

And lasting terror through that ancient Hold. Its line of Warriors fled ;-they shrunk when tried

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By ghostly power :-but Time's unsparing hand Hath plucked such foes, like weeds, from out the land;

And now,

if men with men in peace abide, All other strength the weakest may withstand, All worse assaults may safely be defied.

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XXVIII.

JOURNEY RENEWED.

I ROSE while yet the cattle, heat-opprest,
Crowded together under rustling trees
Brushed by the current of the water-breeze;
And for their sakes, and love of all that rest,
On Duddon's margin, in the sheltering nest; 5

For all the startled scaly tribes that slink

Into his coverts, and each fearless link

Of dancing insects forged upon his breast;
For these, and hopes and recollections worn
Close to the vital seat of human clay;

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Glad meetings, tender partings, that upstay The drooping mind of absence, by vows sworn In his pure presence near the trysting thornI thanked the Leader of my on ward way.

XXIX.

No record tells of lance opposed to lance, Horse charging horse, 'mid these retired domains;

Tells that their turf drank purple from the veins

Of heroes, fallen, or struggling to advance,
Till doubtful combat issued in a trance

5

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Of victory, that struck through heart and reins
Even to the inmost seat of mortal pains,
And lightened o'er the pallid countenance.
Yet, to the loyal and the brave, who lie
In the blank earth, neglected and forlorn,
The passing Winds memorial tribute pay;
The Torrents chant their praise, inspiring scorn
Of power usurped; with proclamation high,
And glad acknowledgment, of lawful sway.

WHO

XXX.

swerves from innocence, who makes
divorce

Of that serene companion-a good name,
Recovers not his loss; but walks with shame,
With doubt, with fear, and haply with remorse :
And oft-times he-who, yielding to the force 5
Of chance-temptation, ere his journey end,
From chosen comrade turns, or faithful friend-
In vain shall rue the broken intercourse.
Not so with such as loosely wear the chain
That binds them, pleasant River! to thy side:-

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