That ceased not when his voice had ceased) as One Who from truth's central point serenely views

Mildly, and with a clear and steady tone.

END OF THE EIGHTH BOOK.

THE EXCURSION.

BOOK IX.

DISCOURSE OF THE WANDERER, &c.

ARGUMENT.

Wanderer asserts that an active principle pervades the UniverseIts noblest seat the human soul - How lively this principle is in Childhood Hence the delight in Old Age of looking back upon Childhood — The dignity, powers, and privileges of Age asserted These not to be looked for generally but under a just government-Right of a human Creature to be exempt from being considered as a mere Instrument - Vicious inclinations are best kept under by giving good ones an opportunity to shew themselves — The condition of multitudes deplored from want of due respect to this truth on the part of their superiors in society - Former conversation recurred to, and the Wanderer's opinions set in a clearer light Genuine principles of equality-Truth placed within reach of the humblest. Happy state of the two Boys again adverted to— Earnest wish expressed for a System of National Education established universally by Government Glorious effects of this foretold — Wanderer breaks off- Walk to the Lake embark - Description of scenery and amuseGrand spectacle from the side of a hill Address of Priest to the Supreme Being—in the Course of which he contrasts with ancient Barbarism the present appearance of the scene before him -The change ascribed to Christianity — Apostrophe to his Flock, living and dead- O Gratitude to the Almighty Return over the Lake - Parting with the Solitary - Under what circumstances.

ments

359

BOOK THE NINTH.

DISCOURSE OF THE WANDERER, AND AN EVENING VISIT TO THE LAKE.

"To every Form of Being is assigned,"
Thus calmly spake the venerable Sage,
"An active principle: - howe'er removed
From sense and observation, it subsists
In all things, in all natures, in the stars
Of azure heaven, the unenduring clouds,
In flower and tree, in every pebbly stone
That paves the brooks, the stationary rocks,
The moving waters, and the invisible air.
Whate'er exists hath properties that spread
Beyond itself, communicating good,
A simple blessing, or with evil mixed ;
Spirit that knows no insulated spot,
No chasm, no solitude; from link to link
It circulates, the Soul of all the Worlds.

This is the freedom of the Universe;

Unfolded still the more, more visible,

The more we know; and yet is reverenced least,
And least respected, in the human Mind,
Its most apparent home. The food of hope
Is meditated action; robbed of this
Her sole support, she languishes and dies.
We perish also; for we live by hope
And by desire; we see by the glad light,
And breathe the sweet air of futurity,
And so we live, or else we have no life.
To-morrow-nay perchance this very hour,
(For every moment hath its own to-morrow!)

Those blooming Boys, whose hearts are almost sick With present triumph, will be sure to find

A field before them freshened with the dew

Of other expectations; in which course

Their happy year spins round. The Youth obeys.
A like glad impulse; and so moves the Man
'Mid all his apprehensions, cares, and fears,
Or so he ought to move.
Ah! why in age

Do we revert so fondly to the walks

The dear memorial footsteps unimpaired

Of her own native vigour — thence can hear