We started and he led towards the hills;
Up through an ample vale, with higher hills
Before us, mountains stern and desolate;
But, in the majesty of distance, now
Set off, and to our ken appearing fair
Of aspect, with aërial softness clad,
And beautified with morning's purple beams.

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 blest with health and hearts at ease, Shall lack not their enjoyment: - but how faint Compared with ours! 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! that we may journey long, By this dark hill protected from thy beams!

Such is the summer Pilgrim's frequent wish;
But quickly from among our morning thoughts
'Twas chased away: for, tow'rd 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 thrill'd ear, and flags uprising, 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,
Already form'd upon the Village green.

Beyond the limits of the shadow cast

By the broad hill, glisten'd 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 sunbeams smitten. Like a mast
Of gold, the Maypole shines; as if the rays
Of morning, aided by exhaling dew,
With gladsome influence could re-animate
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 skimm'd;
There, too, the lusty Wrestlers shall 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

He thus imparted.

"In a spot that lies

Among yon mountain fastnesses conceal'd,

You will receive, before the hour of noon,
Good recompense, 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 shelter'd and well-tended plant,
Bears, on the humblest ground of social life,
Blossoms of piety and innocence.

Such grateful promises his youth display'd:
And, having shown in study forward zeal,
He to the Ministry was duly call'd;

And straight incited by a curious mind

Fill'd with vague hopes, he undertook the charge
Of Chaplain to a Military Troop

Cheer'd by the Highland Bagpipe, as they march'd

In plaided vest, his Fellow-countrymen.

This Office filling, yet by native power

And force of native inclination, made

An intellectual Ruler in the haunts

Of social vanity he walk'd the World,
Gay, and affecting graceful gaiety;
Lax, buoyantless a Pastor with his Flock

Than a Soldier among Soldiers - lived and roam'd

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 endow'd with worldly wealth, His Office he relinquish'd; 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 that love decay, Nor joy abate, 'till, pitiable doom!

In the short course of one undreaded

year

Death blasted all. - Death suddenly o'erthrew
Two lovely Children - all that they possess'd!
The Mother follow'd:- miserably bare
The one Survivor stood; he wept, he pray'd
For his dismissal; day and night, compell'd
By pain to turn his thoughts towards the grave,
And face the regions of Eternity.

An uncomplaining apathy displaced

This anguish; and, indifferent to delight,
To aim and purpose, he consumed his days,