The Wealthy, the Luxurious, by the stress Of business roused, or pleasure, ere their time,
May roll in chariots, or provoke the hoofs
Of the fleet coursers they bestride, to raise
From earth the dust of morning, slow to rise; And They, if blessed with health and hearts at ease, Shall lack not their enjoyment:-but how faint Compared with our's! who, pacing side by side, Could with an eye of leisure look on all
That we beheld; and lend the listening sense To every grateful sound of earth and air, Pausing at will; our spirits braced, our thoughts Pleasant as roses in the thickets blown, And pure as dew bathing their crimson leaves.
Mount slowly Sun! and may our journey lie Awhile within the shadow of this hill, This friendly hill, a shelter from thy beams! Such is the summer Pilgrim's frequent wish; And as that wish, with prevalence of thanks For present good o'er fear of future ill,
Stole in among the morning's blither thoughts,
"Twas chased away: for, tow'rds the western side Of the broad Vale, casting a casual glance, We saw a throng of People;-wherefore met? Blithe notes of music, suddenly let loose
On the thrilled ear, did to the question yield Prompt answer: they proclaim the annual Wake, Which the bright season favours.-Tabor and Pipe In purpose join to hasten and reprove
The laggard Rustic; and repay with boons
Of merriment a party-coloured Knot,
-Beyond the limits of the shadow cast
By the broad hill, glistened upon our sight That gay Assemblage. Round them and above, Glitter, with dark recesses interposed,
Casement, and cottage-roof, and stems of trees Half-veiled in vapoury cloud, the silver steam Of dews fast melting on their leafy boughs By the strong sun-beams smitten. Like a mast Of gold, the Maypole shines; as if the rays Of morning, aided by exhaling dew, With gladsome influence could reanimate The faded garlands dangling from its sides.
Said I," the music and the sprightly scene Invite us; shall we quit our road and join These festive matins?"-He replied, "Not loth Here would I linger, and with you partake, Not one hour merely, but till evening's close, The simple pastimes of the day and place. By the fleet Racers, ere the Sun be set, The turf of yon large pasture will be skimmed : There, too, the lusty Wrestlers will contend :- But know we not that he, who intermits The appointed task and duties of the day, Untunes full oft the pleasures of the day; Checking the finer spirits that refuse
To flow, when purposes are lightly changed? We must proceed-a length of journey yet Remains untraced." Then, pointing with his staff Towards those craggy summits, his intent
Among yon mountain fastnesses concealed, You will receive, before the hour of noon, Good recompence, I hope, for this day's toil- From sight of One who lives secluded there,
Lonesome and lost of whom, and whose past life, (Not to forestal such knowledge as may be
More faithfully collected from himself,)
This brief communication shall suffice.
Though now sojourning there, he, like myself, Sprang from a stock of lowly parentage
Among the wilds of Scotland; in a tract Where many a sheltered and well-tended plant, Upon the humblest ground of social life, Doth at this day, I trust, the blossoms bear
Of piety and simple innocence.
Such grateful promises his youth displayed:
And, as he shewed in study forward zeal,
All helps were sought, all measures strained, that He, By due scholastic discipline prepared,
Might to the Ministry be called: which done,
Partly through lack of better hopes-and part
Perhaps incited by a curious mind,
In early life he undertook the charge
Of Chaplain to a Military Troop
Cheered by the Highland Bagpipe, as they marched
In plaided vest,-his Fellow-countrymen. This Office filling, and, by native power
And force of native inclination, made
An intellectual Ruler in the haunts
Of social vanity-he walked the World, Gay, and affecting graceful gaiety;
Lax, buoyant-less a Pastor with his Flock
Than a Soldier among Soldiers-lived and roamed Where Fortune led:-and Fortune, who oft proves The careless wanderer's Friend, to him made known A blooming Lady-a conspicuous Flower, Admired for beauty, for her sweetness praised; Whom he had sensibility to love,
Ambition to attempt, and skill to win.
For this fair Bride, most rich in gifts of mind, Nor sparingly endowed with worldly wealth, His Office he relinquished; and retired
From the world's notice to a rural Home. Youth's season yet with him was scarcely past, And she was in youth's prime. How full their joy, How free their love! nor did their love decay;
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