Was of a mighty city-boldly say 835 840 845 By earthly nature had the effect been wrought Now pacified; on them, and on the coves And mountain-steeps and summits, whereunto Oh, 'twas an unimaginable sight! 850 Clouds, mists, streams, watery rocks and emerald turf, Each lost in each, that marvellous array Of temple, palace, citadel, and huge 855 860 1 1845. 2 1836. Beneath wondrous 1814. 1814. homes, giving him up for lost; but the next morning the same persons discovered him huddled up in the sheltered nook. He was at first stupefied and unable to move; but after he had eaten and drunk, and recollected himself a little, he walked down the mountain, and did not afterwards seem to have suffered."-ED. Stood fixed; and fixed resemblances were seen 865 But vast in size, in substance glorified; Such as by Hebrew Prophets were beheld In vision *—forms uncouth of mightiest power This little Vale, a dwelling-place of Man,1 870 Lay low beneath my feet; 'twas visible— I saw not, but I felt that it was there. That which I saw was the revealed abode 874 Swelled in my breast.—‘I have been dead,' I cried, 'And now I live! Oh! wherefore do I live?' And with that pang I prayed to be no more!- I then forgot him :—there I stood and gazed : And I descended.† "Having reached the house, I found its rescued inmate safely lodged, 880 And in serene possession of himself, Beside a fire whose genial warmth seemed met 885 1 1845. Below me was the earth; this little Vale 1814. * Compare Ezekiel, chap. i.-ED. "The glorious appearance disclosed above and among the mountains, was described partly from what my friend Mr. Luff, who then lived in Paterdale, witnessed upon that melancholy occasion, and partly from what Mary and I had seen, in company with Sir George and Lady Beaumont, above Hartshope Hall, on our way from Paterdale to Ambleside."-I. F. Compare the lines 827-881 with the account of the view from the top of Snowdon, in The Prelude, book xiv. ll. 11-62 (vol. iii. pp. 367-68), and see Charles Lamb's remarks in his letter to Wordsworth (Aug. 14, 1814) on receiving a copy of The Excursion. (Letters of Charles Lamb, edited by Alfred Ainger, vol. i. p. 271.) In his Table Talk Coleridge expresses a wish "that the first two books of The Excursion had been published separately under the name of 'The Deserted Cottages.' They would have formed, what indeed they are, one of the most beautiful poems in the language." This advice has been followed more than once.-ED. Of comfort, spread over his pallid face.1 Great show of joy the housewife made, and truly "So ends my dolorous tale, and glad I am That it is ended." At these words he turnedAnd, with blithe air of open fellowship, Brought from the cupboard wine and stouter cheer, Like one who would be merry. Seeing this, 890 895 900 My grey-haired Friend said courteously-" Nay, nay, You have regaled us as a hermit ought; Book Third DESPONDENCY ARGUMENT Images in the Valley-Another Recess in it entered and described -Wanderer's sensations-Solitary's excited by the same objects—Contrast between these—Despondency of the Solitary gently reproved-Conversation exhibiting the Solitary's past and present opinions and feelings, till he enters upon his own History at length—His domestic felicity—Afflictions— Dejection-Roused by the French Revolution-Disappointment and disgust-Voyage to America—Disappointment 1 1836. Beside a genial fire; that seemed to spread 1814. and disgust pursue him-His return-His languor and depression of mind, from want of faith in the great truths of Religion, and want of confidence in the virtue of Mankind. A HUMMING BEE—a little tinkling rill— By each and all of these the pensive ear When through the cottage threshold we had passed, The shade of discontent which on his brow 5 ΙΟ 15 20 That the brief hours, which yet remain, may reap Its line had first been fashioned by the flock Of yon black Yew-tree, whose protruded boughs 25 * There is still a single "yew-tree" high up the eastern side of the valley on the face of Lingmoor Fell, Darkening the silver bosom of the crag. ED. 1 From which she draws her1 meagre sustenance. Feebly it tinkles with an earthy sound, And a few steps may bring us to the spot Where, haply, crowned with flowerets and green herbs, Like human life from darkness."-A quick turn 3 30 35 40 Lofty, and steep, and naked as a tower. Whether to such wild objects he were led Here would not linger, willingly detained? All further progress here was barred ;—And who, 45 When copious rains have magnified the stream Or introduced at this more quiet time. Upon a semicirque of turf-clad ground, The hidden nook discovered to our view 50 A mass of rock, resembling, as it lay A stranded ship, with keel upturned, that rests Fearless of winds and waves. Three several stones 55 |