"Yet--in less simple districts, where we see Stone lift its forehead emulous of stone[HU] 625 In courting notice; and the ground all paved With commendations of departed worth; Reading, where'er we turn, of innocent lives, Of each domestic charity fulfilled, And sufferings meekly borne--I, for my part, 630 Though with the silence pleased that[564] here prevails, Among those fair recitals also range, Soothed by the natural spirit which they breathe. And, in the centre of a world whose soil Is rank with all unkindness, compassed round 635 With such memorials, I have sometimes felt, It was[565] no momentary happiness To have _one_ Enclosure where the voice that speaks In envy or detraction is not heard; Which malice may not enter; where the traces 640 Of evil inclinations are unknown; Where love and pity tenderly unite With resignation; and no jarring tone Intrudes, the peaceful concert to disturb Of amity and gratitude." "Thus sanctioned," 645 The Pastor said, "I willingly confine My narratives to subjects that excite Feelings with these accordant; love, esteem, And admiration; lifting up a veil, A sunbeam introducing among hearts 650 Retired and covert; so that ye shall have Clear images before your gladdened eyes Of nature's unambitious underwood, And flowers that prosper in the shade. And when I speak of such among my flock as swerved 655 Or fell, those only shall be singled out[566] Upon whose lapse, or error, something more Than brotherly forgiveness may attend; To such will we restrict our notice, else Better my tongue were mute. "And yet there are, 660 I feel, good reasons why we should not leave Wholly untraced a more forbidding way. For, strength to persevere and to support, And energy to conquer and repel-- These elements of virtue, that declare 665 The native grandeur of the human soul-- Are oft-times not unprofitably shown In the perverseness of a selfish course: Truth every day exemplified, no less In the grey cottage by the murmuring stream 670 Than in[567] fantastic conqueror's roving camp, Or 'mid[568] the factious senate unappalled Whoe'er may sink, or rise--to sink again,[569] As[570] merciless proscription ebbs and flows.
"There," said the Vicar, pointing as he spake, 675 "A woman rests in peace; surpassed by few In power of mind, and eloquent discourse. Tall was her stature; her complexion dark And saturnine;[HV] her head not raised to hold[571] 679 Converse with heaven, nor yet deprest towards earth, But in projection carried, as she walked For ever musing. Sunken were her eyes; Wrinkled and furrowed with habitual thought Was her broad forehead; like the brow of one Whose visual nerve shrinks from a painful glare 685 Of overpowering light.--While yet a child, She, 'mid the humble flowerets of the vale, Towered like the imperial thistle, not unfurnished With its appropriate grace, yet rather seeking[572] To be admired, than coveted and loved. 690 Even at that age she ruled, a sovereign queen, Over her comrades;[573] else their simple sports, Wanting all relish for her strenuous mind, Had crossed her only to be shunned with scorn.[574] --Oh! pang of sorrowful regret for those[575] 695 Whom, in their youth, sweet study has enthralled, That they have lived for harsher servitude, Whether in soul, in body, or estate! Such doom was hers; yet nothing could subdue Her keen desire of knowledge, nor efface[576] 700 Those brighter images by books imprest Upon her memory, faithfully as stars That occupy their places, and, though oft Hidden by clouds, and oft bedimmed by haze, Are not to be extinguished, nor impaired.[577] 705