to ARGUMENT. Farewell to the Valley-Reflections - Sight of a large and populous Vale― Solitary consents to go forward - Vale describedThe Pastor's Dwelling, and some account of him- The Churchyard- Church and Monuments The Solitary musing, and where Roused - In the Church-yard the Solitary communicates the thoughts which had recently passed through his mind - Lofty tone of the Wanderer's discourse of yesterday adverted Rite of Baptism, and the professions accompanying it, contrasted with the real state of human life- Inconsistency of the best men Acknowledgment that practice falls far below the injunctions of duty as existing in the mind General complaint of a falling-off in the value of life after the time of youth— Outward appearances of content and happiness in degree illusive Pastor approaches Appeal made to him— His answer— Wanderer in sympathy with him - Suggestion that the least ambitious Inquirers may be most free from error — The Pastor is desired to give some Portraits of the living or dead from his own observation of life among these Mountains- and for what purpose Pastor consents Mountain cottage - Excellent qualities of its Inhabitants Solitary expresses his pleasure; but denies the praise of virtue to worth of this kind- Feelings of the Priest before he enters upon his account of Persons interred in the Church-yard- Graves of unbaptized Infants. What sensations they excite Funeral and sepulchral Observances, whence Ecclesiastical Establishments, whence derived-Profession of Belief in the doctrine of Immortality. 189 BOOK THE FIFTH. THE PASTOR. FAREWELL, deep Valley, with thy one rude House, And its small lot of life-supporting fields, And guardian rocks! - Farewell, attractive Seat! Open, and day's pure cheerfulness, but veiled Primeval Forests wrapped thee round with dark Majestic Circuit, beautiful Abyss, By Nature destined from the birth of things Upon the side Of that brown Slope, the outlet of the Vale, Lingering behind my Comrades, thus I breathed A parting tribute to a spot that seemed How vain, thought I, it is by change of place To steal from active duties, and embrace Obscurity, and calm forgetfulness. Knowledge, methinks in these disordered times, Should be allowed a privilege to have Her Anchorites, like Piety of old; Men, who, from faction sacred, and unstained Consecrated be The Spots where such abide! But happier still The Man, whom, furthermore, a hope attends That meditation and research may guide Discovered or invented; or set forth, Through his acquaintance with the ways of truth, In lucid order; so that, when his course Is run, some faithful Eulogist may say, He sought not praise, and praise did overlook Sweet to himself, was exercised in good Acknowledgments of gratitude sincere Accompanied these musings;-fervent thanks For my own peaceful lot and happy choice; A choice that from the passions of the world Withdrew, and fixed me in a still retreat, Sheltered, but not to social duties lost, Secluded, but not buried; and with song Cheering my days, and with industrious thought, With ever-welcome company of books, By virtuous friendship's soul-sustaining aid, And with the blessings of domestic love. Thus occupied in mind I paced along, Following the rugged road, by sledge or wheel Worn in the moorland, till I overtook My two Associates, in the morning sunshine From which the road descended rapidly Here did our pensive Host put forth his hand To his own Covert; as a billow, heaved So we descend; and winding round a rock Attain a point that shewed the Valley - stretched In length before us; and, not distant far, Upon a rising ground a grey Church-tower, Whose battlements were screened by tufted trees. And, tow'rds a crystal Mere, that lay beyond Among steep hills and woods embosomed, flowed A copious Stream with boldly-winding course; Here traceable, there hidden there again To sight restored, and glittering in the Sun. |