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 enters upon his own History at length.-His domestic felicity.Afflictions. 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. 5 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 conclave of a blue And cloudless sky.-Anon exclaimed our Host, Triumphantly dispersing with the taunt The shade of discontent which on his brow see 15 How Nature hems you in with friendly arms! That the brief hours, which yet remain, may reap 20 So saying, round he looked, as if perplexed; Friend Said-"Shall we take this pathway for our guide? 25 Upward it winds, as if, in summer heats, The mountain infant to the sun comes forth, turn 35 Through a strait passage of encumbered ground, Proved that such hope was vain :-for now we stood 40 Shut out from prospect of the open vale, Thought I, if master of a vacant hour, Upon a semicirque of turf-clad ground, 50 Fearless of winds and waves. Three several stones Stood near, of smaller size, and not unlike 55 A fragment, like an altar, flat and smooth: 60 Barren the tablet, yet thereon appeared A tall and shining holly, that had found A hospitable chink, and stood upright, As if inserted by some human hand In mockery, to wither in the sun, Or lay its beauty flat before a breeze, 65 The first that entered. But no breeze did now Find entrance;-high or low appeared no trace Of motion, save the water that descended, Diffused adown that barrier of steep rock, And softly creeping, like a breath of air, Such as is sometimes seen, and hardly seen, To brush the still breast of a crystal lake. "Behold a cabinet for sages built, 70 Which kings might envy!"-Praise to this effect 75 Broke from the happy old Man's reverend lip; And of design not wholly worn away. |