So ends my dolorous tale, and glad I am That it is ended." At these words he turnedAnd, with blithe air of open fellowship,

Brought from the cupboard wine and stouter cheer, Like one who would be merry. Seeing this,

My grey-haired Friend said courteously-" Nay, nay,

You have regaled us as a hermit ought;

Now let us forth into the sun!"-Our Host
Rose, though reluctantly, and forth we went.

THE EXCURSION.

BOOK THIRD.

DESPONDENCY.

T

DESPONDENCY.

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.

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 concave of a blue

And cloudless sky.-Anon exclaimed our Host,
Triumphantly dispersing with the taunt

The shade of discontent which on his brow
Had gathered," Ye have left my cell,-but see

How Nature hems you in with friendly arms!
And by her help ye are my prisoners still.
But which way shall I lead you ?-how contrive,
In spot so parsimoniously endowed,

That the brief hours, which yet remain, may reap
Some recompense of knowledge or delight?"
So saying, round he looked, as if perplexed;
And, to remove those doubts, my grey-haired
Friend

Said "Shall we take this pathway for our guide?—
Upward it winds, as if, in summer heats,

Its line had first been fashioned by the flock
Seeking a place of refuge at the root

Of yon black Yew-tree, whose protruded boughs
Darken the silver bosom of the crag,

From which she draws her meagre sustenance.
There in commodious shelter may we rest.

Or let us trace this streamlet to its source;
Feebly it tinkles with an earthy sound,
And a few steps may bring us to the spot
Where, haply, crowned with flowerets and green

herbs,

The mountain infant to the sun comes forth,

Like human life from darkness."-A quick turn
Through a strait passage of encumbered ground,
Proved that such hope was vain :-for now we stood
Shut out from prospect of the open vale,
And saw the water, that composed this rill,
Descending, disembodied, and diffused
O'er the smooth surface of an ample crag,

Lofty, and steep, and naked as a tower.

All further progress here was barred ;—And who,
Thought I, if master of a vacant hour,