His wasted spirits quickly, by long toil Incurring short fatigue; and, though our years, As life declines, speed rapidly away, And not a year but pilfers as he goes 130 Some youthful grace, that age would gladly keep; A tooth, or auburn lock, and by degrees Their length and colour from the locks they spare; That mounts the stile with ease, or leaps the fence, Swift pace or steep ascent no toil to me, Mine have not pilfer'd yet; nor yet impair'd 140 And well-tried virtues, could alone inspire Witness a joy that thou hast doubled long. Thou know'st my praise of nature most sincere, 150 And that my raptures are not conjur❜d up To serve occasions of poetic pomp, But genuine, and art partner of them all. Has slacken'd to a pause, and we have borne And still unsated, dwelt upon the scene. Thence with what pleasure have we just discern'd That screen the herdsman's solitary hut; 170 While far beyond, and overthwart the stream, Groves, heaths, and smoking villages, remote. Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds, Exhilarate the spirit, and restore 180 The tone of languid Nature. Mighty winds, The dash of Ocean on his winding shore, And lull the spirit while they fill the mind; Of distant floods, or on the softer voice 190 Of neighb'ring fountain, or of rills that slip To sooth and satisfy the human ear. Ten thousand warblers cheer the day, and one 200 The livelong night: nor these alone, whose notes Nice finger'd Art must emulate in vain, But cawing rooks, and kites that swim sublime In still repeated circles, screaming loud, The jay, the pie, and ev'n the boding owl, That hails the rising moon, have charms for me. ། Sounds inharmonious in themselves and harsh, Yet heard in scenes where peace for ever reigns, And only there, please highly for their sake. Peace to the artist, whose ingenious thought 210 Devis'd the weatherhouse, that useful toy! Fearless of humid air and gath'ring rains, When winter soaks the fields, and female feet, The task of new discov'ries falls on me. At such a season, and with such a charge, Once went I forth; and found, till then unknown, A cottage, whither oft we since repair: Tis perch'd upon the green hill top, but close 221 |