Of a small Chapel where, in ancient time,
The Peasants of these lonely valleys used
To meet for worship on that central height,)-
We there espied the Object of our search,
Lying, full three parts buried among tufts
Of heath-plant, under and above him strewn,
To baffle, as he might, the watery storm:
And there we found him breathing peaceably,
Snug as a child that hides itself in sport
'Mid a green hay-cock in a sunny field.
We spake he made reply, but would not stir
At our entreaty; less from want of power

Than apprehension and bewildering thoughts.
So was he lifted gently from the ground,

And with their freight the Shepherds homeward moved
Through the dull mist, I following

when a step,

A single step, that freed me from the skirts
Of the blind vapor, opened to my view
Glory beyond all glory ever seen

By waking sense, or by the dreaming soul!
The appearance, instantaneously disclosed,
Was of a mighty City-boldly say
A wilderness of building, sinking far
And self-withdrawn into a wondrous depth,
Far sinking into splendor without end!
Fabric it seemed of diamond and of gold,
With alabaster domes, and silver spires,
And blazing terrace upon terrace, high
Uplifted; here, serene pavilions bright,
In avenues disposed; there, towers begirt
With battlements that on their restless fronts
Bore stars illumination of all gems!

By earthly nature had the effect been wrought
Upon the dark materials of the storm
Now pacified; on them, and on the coves

And mountain-steeps and summits, whereunto
The vapors had receded, taking there

Their station under a cerulean sky.

Oh, 'twas an unimaginable sight!

Clouds, mists, streams, watery rocks and emerald turf,
Clouds of all tincture, rocks, and sapphire sky,
Confused, commingled, mutually inflamed,
Molten together, and composing thus,
Each lost in each, that marvellous array
Of temple, palace, citadel, and huge
Fantastic pomp of structure without name,
In fleecy folds voluminous, enwrapped.
Right in the midst, where interspace appeared
Of open court, an object like a throne

Beneath a shining canopy of state

Stood fixed; and fixed resemblances were seen

To implements of ordinary use,

But vast in size, in substance glorified;
Such as by Hebrew Prophets were beheld
In vision--forms uncouth of mightiest power
For admiration and mysterious awe.

Below me was the earth; this little Vale
Lay low beneath my feet; 'twas visible.

I saw not, but I felt that it was there.

That which I saw was the revealed abode

Of spirits in beatitude: my heart

Swelled in my breast. 'I have been dead,' I cried,

'And now I live! Oh! wherefore do I live?'

And with that pang I prayed to be no more!
But I forget our Charge, as utterly

I then forgot him: there I stood and gazed;

The apparition faded not away,

And I descended. Having reached the House,
I found its rescued Inmate safely lodged,

And in serene possession of himself,

Beside a genial fire, that seemed to spread
A gleam of comfort o'er his pallid face.
Great show of joy the Housewife made, and truly
Was glad to find her conscience set at ease;
And not less glad, for sake of her good name,
That the poor Sufferer had escaped with life.
But, though he seemed at first to have received
No harm, and uncomplaining as before
Went through his usual tasks, a silent change
Soon showed itself; he lingered three short wecks;
And from the Cottage hath been borne to-day.

"So ends my dolorous Tale, and glad I am That it is ended." At these words he turned, And, with blithe air of open fellowship,

“Nay, nay

Brought from the Cupboard wine and stouter cheer,
Like one who would be merry. Seeing this,
My gray-haired Friend said courteously
You have regaled us as a Hermit ought;
Now let us forth into the sun! Our Host
Rose, though reluctantly, and forth we went.

THE EXCURSION.

BOOK THE THIRD.

DESPONDENCY.

ARGUMENT.

Images in the Valley - Another Recess m it entered and described Wanderer's sensations - Solitary's, excited by the same objects -Contrast between these - Despondency of the Solitary gently reproved - Conversation exhibiting the Solitary's past and present opinions and feelings, till he enters upon his own History at lengthHis domestic felicity afflictions - dejection - Roused by the French Revolution - Disappointment and disgust -- Voyage to America --Disappointment and disgust pursue him- His return-Ilis languor and depression of mind, from want of faith in the great truths of Religion, and want of confidence in the virtue of Mankind,

A HUMMING Bee a little tinkling Rill
A pair of Falcons, wheeling on the wing,

In clamorous agitation, round the crest

Of a tall rock, their airy Citadel

By each and all of these the pensive ear

Was greeted, in the silence that ensued,

When through the Cottage threshold we had passed, And, deep within that lonesome Valley, stood

Once more, beneath the concave of a blue

And cloudless sky. Anon, exclaimed our Host,

Triumphantly dispersing with the taunt

The shade of discontent which on his brow
Had gathered, "Ye have left my cell but see
How Nature hems you in with friendly arms!
And by her help ye are my Prisoners still.

But which way shall I lead you?-how contrive,
In Spot so parsimoniously endowed,

That the brief hours, which yet remain, may reap
Some recompense of knowledge or delight?
So saying, round he looked, as if perplexed;
And, to remove those doubts, my gray-haired Friend
Said "Shall we take this pathway for our guide?-
Upward it winds, as if, in summer heats,

Its line had first been fashioned by the flock,
A place of refuge seeking at the root

Of yon black Yew-tree; whose protruded boughs
Darken the silver bosom of the crag,

From which she draws her meagre sustenance.
There in commodious shelter may we rest.
Or let us trace this Streamlet to his source;
Feebly it tinkles with an earthly sound,
And a few steps may bring us to the spot
Where, haply, crowned with flowerets and green herbs,
The mountain Infant to the sun comes forth,

Like human life from darkness." A quick turn
Through a strait passage of encumbered ground,
Proved that such hope was vain for now we stood
Shut out from prospect of the open Vale,
And saw he water that composed this Rill
Descending disembodied, and diffused
O'er the smooth surface of an ample Crag,
Lofty, and steep, and naked as a Tower.
All further progress here was barred;
Thought I, if master of a vacant hour,
Here would not linger, willingly detained?

and who,