With mind that sheds a light on what he sees; So, westward, tow'rd the unviolated woods Enough is told! Here am I-ye have heard What evidence I seek, and vainly seek; What from my fellow-beings I require, And either they have not to give, or I Lack virtue to receive; what I myself, Too oft by wilful forfeiture, have lost Nor can regain. How languidly I look Upon this visible fabric of the world, May be divined—perhaps it hath been said :— But spare your pity, if there be in me Aught that deserves respect: for I exist, Within myself, not comfortless.-The tenour Which my life holds, he readily may conceive Whoe'er hath stood to watch a mountain brook In some still passage of its course, and seen, Within the depths of its capacious breast, Inverted trees, rocks, clouds, and azure sky; And, on its glassy surface, specks of foam, And conglobated bubbles undissolved, Numerous as stars; that, by their onward lapse, Betray to sight the motion of the stream, The earth-born wanderer hath passed; and quickly, ARGUMENT. State of feeling produced by the foregoing Narrative.-A belief in a superintending Providence the only adequate support under affliction.--Wanderer's ejaculation.-Acknowledges the difficulty of a lively faith.-Hence immoderate sorrow.-Exhortations.How received.-Wanderer applies his discourse to that other cause of dejection in the Solitary's mind.-Disappointment from the French Revolution.--States grounds of hope, and insists on the necessity of patience and fortitude with respect to the course of great revolutions.-Knowledge the source of tranquillity.Rural Solitude favourable to knowledge of the inferior Creatures; Study of their habits and ways recommended; exhortation to bodily exertion and communion with Nature.-Morbid Solitude pitiable. Superstition better than apathy.- Apathy and destitution unknown in the infancy of society.-The various modes of Religion prevented it.-Illustrated in the Jewish, Persian, Babylonian, Chaldean, and Grecian modes of belief.-Solitary interposes.-Wanderer points out the influence of religious and imaginative feeling in the humble ranks of society, illustrated from present and past times.-These principles tend to recal exploded superstitions and popery.-Wanderer rebuts this charge, and contrasts the dignities of the Imagination with the presumptuous littleness of certain modern Philosophers.-Recommends other lights and guides.-Asserts the power of the Soul to regenerate herself; Solitary asks how.-Reply.-Personal appeal.-Exhortation to activity of body renewed.-How to commune with Nature.-Wanderer concludes with a legitimate union of the imagination, affections, understanding, and reason. -Effect of his discourse.-Evening; Return to the Cottage. DESPONDENCY CORRECTED. HERE closed the Tenant of that lonely vale "One adequate support Soul of our Souls, and safeguard of the world! |