Composed 1805.--Published 1842
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"Here did we stop; and here looked round,While each into himself descends." The point is two or three yards below the outlet of Grisedale Tarn, on afoot-road by which a horse may pass to Patterdale--a ridge of Helvellynon the left, and the summit of Fairfield on the right.--I. F.] This poem was included among the "Epitaphs and Elegiac Pieces."--Ed. I The Sheep-boy whistled loud, and lo!That instant, startled by the shock,The Buzzard mounted from the rockDeliberate and slow:Lord of the air, he took his flight; 5Oh! could he on that woeful nightHave lent his wing, my Brother dear,For one poor moment's space to Thee,And all who struggled with the Sea,When safety was so near. 10 II Thus in the weakness of my heartI spoke (but let that pang be still)When rising from the rock at will,I saw the Bird depart.And let me calmly bless the Power 15That meets me in this unknown Flower,Affecting type of him I mourn!With calmness suffer and believe,And grieve, and know that I must grieve,Not cheerless, though forlorn. 20 III Here did we stop; and here looked roundWhile each into himself descends,For that last thought of parting FriendsThat is not to be found.Hidden was Grasmere Vale from sight, 25Our home and his, his heart's delight,His quiet heart's selected home.But time before him melts away,And he hath feeling of a dayOf blessedness to come. 30 IV Full soon in sorrow did I weep,Taught that the mutual hope was dust,In sorrow, but for higher trust,How miserably deep!All vanished in a single word, 35A breath, a sound, and scarcely heard.Sea--Ship--drowned--Shipwreck--so it came,The meek, the brave, the good, was gone;He who had been our living JohnWas nothing but a name. 40 V That was indeed a parting! oh,Glad am I, glad that it is past;For there were some on whom it castUnutterable woe.But they as well as I have gains;--45From many a humble source, to painsLike these, there comes a mild release;Even here I feel it, even this PlantIs in its beauty ministrantTo comfort and to peace. 50 VI He would have loved thy modest grace,Meek Flower! To Him I would have said,"It grows upon its native bedBeside our Parting-place;There, cleaving to the ground, it lies 55With multitude of purple eyes,Spangling a cushion green like moss;But we will see it, joyful tide!Some day, to see it in its pride,The mountain will we cross." 60 VII--Brother and friend, if verse of mineHave power to make thy virtues known,Here let a monumental StoneStand--sacred as a Shrine;And to the few who pass this way, 65Traveller or Shepherd, let it say,Long as these mighty rocks endure,--Oh do not Thou too fondly brood,Although deserving of all good,On any earthly hope, however pure! [A] 70 * * * * *
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