Book Sixth, continued in Editions of 1814 and 1820 only "The next three Ridges-those upon the left- -One Hillock, ye may note, is small and low, Of glorious resurrection with the just, The approved Assistant of an arduous course 1195 I 200 1205 1210 1215 In course of nature that a Father's wing 1220 His heart was cloven; and full oft he prayed, To force the Bondsman from his house and lands, Of his unmurmuring and considerate mind Lightened the penalty with liberal hand. 1230 1235 -The desolate Father raised his head, and looked Whereby a virtuous Woman, of grave years 1245 -Nor did she fail, in nothing did she fail, 1250 Trained early to participate that zeal Of industry, which runs before the day And lingers after it; by strong restraint 1255 Of an economy which did not check The heart's more generous motions tow'rds themselves And troubles that beset their life: and thus 1260 Have all been scattered wide, by various fates; 1265 But each departed from the native Vale, In beauty flourishing, and moral worth." Book Seventh THE CHURCH-YARD AMONG THE MOUNTAINSContinued ARGUMENT Impression of these Narratives upon the Author's mind—Pastor invited to give account of certain Graves that lie apart— Clergyman and his Family-Fortunate influence of change of situation-Activity in extreme old age-Another Clergyman, a character of resolute Virtue-Lamentations over mis-directed applause-Instance of less exalted excellence in a deaf man-Elevated character of a blind man—. -Reflection upon Blindness—Interrupted by a Peasant who passes—his animal cheerfulness and careless vivacity-He occasions a digression on the fall of beautiful and interesting Trees—A female Infant's Grave-Joy at her Birth-Sorrow at her Departure A youthful Peasant-his patriotic enthusiasm and distinguished qualities—his1 untimely death-Exultation of the Wanderer, as a patriot, in this Picture-Solitary how affected-Monument of a Knight—Traditions concerning him-Peroration of the Wanderer on the transitoriness of things and the revolutions of society-Hints at his own past Calling-Thanks the Pastor. WHILE thus from theme to theme the Historian passed, 1 1836. his patriotic enthusiasm—distinguished qualities-and 5 Lay beautiful on Snowdon's sovereign brow,1 A wandering Youth, I listened with delight To pastoral melody or warlike air,* Drawn from the chords of the ancient British harp By some accomplished Master, while he sate And there did inexhaustibly dispense Strains of power Of memory, images and precious thoughts, "These grassy heaps lie amicably close," Said I, "like surges heaving in the wind Along 2 the surface of a mountain pool: Whence comes it, then, that yonder we behold Five graves, and only five, that rise together 1 1827. ΙΟ 15 20 25 30 35 2 1836. Upon craggy top, 1814. 1814. * In the end of May and in June 1791, Wordsworth went with his friend Jones on a pedestrian tour in Wales.-ED. Unsociably sequestered, and encroaching 1 On the smooth play-ground of the village-school?" * The Vicar answered,—“ No disdainful pride -Once more look forth, and follow with your sight The cultured fields; and up the heathy waste, 40 45 50 4 1836. *Note the exactness of the reference to the "playground of the villageschool." It is described as "smooth" because it had no graves in it at that time. "The school," writes Dr. Cradock, "was then, and long afterwards, held at the house abutting the Lichgate, and the children had no playground but the churchyard. The portion of the ground nearest the school was not used for burial, until the want of room made it necessary to encroach on it. The oldest tombstone bears the date of 1777.”—ED. This "tuft of trees" is still standing (1896).—ED. The road "up the heathy waste," and mounting "in mazes serpentine," is the Keswick road over Dunmail Raise, the " easy outlet of the vale."-ED. |