THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, VOL 3, 1896 (Completed)

BOOK TENTH -- RESIDENCE IN FRANCE (CONTINUED)

It was a beautiful and silent day

That overspread the countenance of earth,

Then fading with unusual quietness,--

A day as beautiful as e'er was given

To soothe regret, though deepening what it soothed,

When by the gliding Loire I paused, and cast

Upon his rich domains, vineyard and tilth,

Green meadow-ground, and many-coloured woods,

Again, and yet again, a farewell look;

Then from the quiet of that scene passed on,

Bound to the fierce Metropolis. [A] From his throne

The King had fallen, [B] and that invading host--

Presumptuous cloud, on whose black front was written

The tender mercies of the dismal wind

That bore it--on the plains of Liberty

Had burst innocuous. Say in bolder words,

They--who had come elate as eastern hunters

Banded beneath the Great Mogul, when he

Erewhile went forth from Agra or Lahore,

Rajahs and Omrahs [C] in his train, intent

To drive their prey enclosed within a ring

Wide as a province, but, the signal given,

Before the point of the life-threatening spear

Narrowing itself by moments--they, rash men,

Had seen the anticipated quarry turned

Into avengers, from whose wrath they fled

In terror. Disappointment and dismay

Remained for all whose fancies had run wild

With evil expectations; confidence

And perfect triumph for the better cause.

The State, as if to stamp the final seal

On her security, and to the world

Show what she was, a high and fearless soul,

Exulting in defiance, or heart-stung

By sharp resentment, or belike to taunt

With spiteful gratitude the baffled League,

That had stirred up her slackening faculties

To a new transition, when the King was crushed,

Spared not the empty throne, and in proud haste

Assumed the body and venerable name

Of a Republic. [D] Lamentable crimes,

'Tis true, had gone before this hour, dire work

Of massacre, [E] in which the senseless sword

Was prayed to as a judge; but these were past,

Earth free from them for ever, as was thought,--