ARGUMENT. The Author describes his travels with the Wanderer, whose character is further illustrated - Morning scene, and view of a Village Wake Wanderer's account of a Friend whom he purposes to visit - View, from an eminence, of the Valley which his Friend had chosen for his retreat — feelings of the Author at the sight of it Sound of singing from below -a funeral procession - Descent into the Valley Observations drawn from the Wanderer at sight of a Book accidentally discovered in a recess in the Valley - Meeting with the Wanderer's friend, the Solitary Wanderer's description of the mode of burial in this mountainous district — Solitary contrasts with this, that of the Individual carried a few minutes before from the Cottage Brief conversation The Cottage entered- description of the Solitary's apartment-repast there- View from the Window of two mountain summits and the Solitary's description of the Companionship they afford him. account of the departed Inmate of the Cottage - description of a grand spectacle upon the mountains, with its effect upon the Solitary's mind- Quit the House. 47 BOOK THE SECOND. THE SOLITARY. IN days of yore how fortunately fared The Minstrel! wandering on from Hall to Hall, Or with some merry Outlaws of the wood; Him, sleeping or awake, the Robber spared; His Harp, suspended at the Traveller's side; His dear Companion wheresoe'er he went To gather, ranging through the tamer ground Both while he trod the earth in humblest guise What wonder, then, if I, whose favourite School Hath been the fields, the roads, and rural lanes, Look'd on this Guide with reverential love? Each with the other pleased, we now pursued Our journey - beneath favourable skies. Turn wheresoe'er we would, he was a light Unfailing: not a Hamlet could we pass, Rarely a House, that did not yield to him Remembrances; or from his tongue call forth Some way-beguiling tale. Nor less regard Accompanied those strains of apt discourse, Which Nature's various objects might inspire; And in the silence of his face I read His overflowing spirit. Birds and beasts, And the mute fish that glances in the stream, To the degree that he desired, beloved. Greetings and smiles we met with all day long From faces that he knew; we took our seats By many a cottage hearth, where he received The welcome of an Inmate come from far. Nor was he loth to enter ragged Huts, Huts where his charity was blest; his voice Heard as the voice of an experienced Friend. And, sometimes, where the Poor Man held dispute With his own mind, unable to subdue With soften'd spirit. even when it condemn'd. Such intercourse I witness'd, while we roved, Now as his choice directed, now as mine; Or both, with equal readiness of will, Our course submitting to the changeful breeze |