Of open court, an object like a throne
Under 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.
This little Vale, a dwelling-place of Man,
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 fire whose genial warmth seemed met
By a faint shining from the heart, a gleam
Of comfort, spread over 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 weeks;
And from the cottage hath been borne to-day.

So ends my dolorous tale, and glad I am

F

That it is ended." At these words he turned-
And, with blithe air of open fellowship,
Brought from the cupboard wine and stouter cheer,
Like one who would be merry. Seeing this,
My grey-haired Friend said courteously—"

nay,

You have regaled us as a hermit ought;
Now let us forth into the sun!"-Our Host
Rose, though reluctantly, and forth we went.

Nay,

BOOK THIRD.

DESPONDENCY.

F 2

ARGUMENT.

Images in the Valley.-Another Recess in 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 enter; upon his own History at length.-His domestic felicity.-Afflic tions.-Dejection.-Roused by the French Revolution.-Disappointment and disgust.-Voyage to America.-Disappointment and disgust pursue him. His return.-His languor and depression of mind, from want of faith in the great truths of Religion, and want of confidence in the virtue of Mankind.

DESPONDENCY.

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 grey-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
Seeking a place of refuge at the root

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