In common things that round us lie That broods and sleeps on his own heart, But he is weak; both man and boy, The things which others understand. -Come hither in thy hour of strength; Come, weak as is a breaking wave! Here stretch thy body at full length; Or build thy house upon this grave! EXPOSTULATION AND REPLY. "WHY, William, on that old gray stone, Thus for the length of half a day, Why, William, sit you thus alone, And dream your time away? "Where are your books?—that light bequeathed To beings else forlorn and blind! Up! up! and drink the spirit breathed "You look round on your mother earth, One morning thus, by Esthwaite lake, "The eye-it cannot choose but see; "Nor less I deem that there are powers Which of themselves our minds impress; That we can feed this mind of ours "Think you, 'mid all this mighty sum Of things for ever speaking, That nothing of itself will come, But we must still be seeking? "Then ask not wherefore, here, alone, Conversing as I may, I sit upon this old gray stone, THE TABLES TURNED; AN EVENING SCENE ON THE SAME SUBJECT. UP! up! my friend, and quit your books, Or surely you'll grow double. Up! up! my friend, and clear your looks; Why all this toil and trouble? The sun, above the mountain's head, Through all the long green fields has spread, His first sweet evening yellow. Books! 'tis a dull and endless strife: Come, hear the woodland linnet, How sweet his music! on my life There's more of wisdom in it. And hark! how blithe the throstle sings ! He, too, is no mean preacher : Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher. She has a world of ready wealth, Our minds and hearts to bless- One impulse from a vernal wood Of moral evil and of good, Then all the sages can. Sweet is the lore which Nature brings; Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things : -We murder to dissect. Enough of science and of art; Close up these barren leaves : Come forth, and bring with you a heart |