As golden locks of birch, that rise and fall 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 5 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 The lonely Primrose yet renews its bloom, XXIII. SHEEP-WASHING. SAD thoughts, avaunt!—partake we their blithe cheer Who gathered in betimes the unshorn flock As this we look on. Distant Mountains hear, 5 Hear and repeat, the turmoil that unites Of barking dogs, and bleatings from strange fear. ΙΟ And what if Duddon's spotless flood receive Though false to Nature's quiet equipoise: XXIV. THE RESTING-PLACE. MID-NOON is past;-upon the sultry mead If we advance unstrengthened by repose, Tempting recess as ever pilgrim chose, 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 5 Lift, and encircle with a cloudy chair, 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, unseen; Through tangled woods, impending rocks between; 4 Or, free as air, with flying inquest viewed green Poured down the hills, a choral multitude! Nor have I tracked their course for scanty gains; 9 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, 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 9 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. XXVIII. JOURNEY RENEWED. I ROSE while yet the cattle, heat-opprest, For all the startled scaly tribes that slink Into his coverts, and each fearless link Of dancing insects forged upon his breast; 10 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, 5 Of victory, that struck through heart and reins WHO XXX. swerves from innocence, who makes Of that serene companion-a good name, 9 |