In the best quiet to its course allowed;

And such is mine,

save only for a hope

That my particular current soon will reach The unfathomable gulf, where all is still!"

END OF THE THIRD BOOK.

THE EXCURSION.

BOOK IV.

DESPONDENCY CORRECTED.

State of feeling produced by the foregoing Narrative

A belief in a superintending Providence the only adequate support under affliction - Wanderer's ejaculation account of his own devotional feelings in youth involved — Acknowledges the difficulty of a lively faith - Hence immoderate sorrow doubt or despondence not therefore to be inferred Consolation to the SoliExhortations How received tary Wanderer applies his discourse to that other cause of dejection in the Solitary's mind disappointment from the French Revolution- States grounds of hope 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 NatureMorbid 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 recall exploded superstitions and popery - Wanderer rebuts this charge, and contrasts the dignities of the Imagination with the presumptive littleness of certain modern Philosophers Recommends other lights and guides- Asserts the power of the Soul to regenerate herself - Solitary asks how ReplyPersonal appeal - Happy that the imagination and the affections mitigate the evils of that intellectual slavery which the calculating understanding is apt to produce 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 - Even

ing Return to the Cottage.

131

BOOK THE FOURTH.

DESPONDENCY CORRECTED.

HERE closed the Tenant of that lonely vale
His mournful Narrative commenced in pain,
In pain commenced, and ended without peace:
Yet tempered, not unfrequently, with strains
Of native feeling, grateful to our minds;
And doubtless yielding some relief to his,
While we sate listening with compassion due
Such pity yet surviving, with firm voice,

That did not falter, though the heart was moved,
The Wanderer said—

"One adequate support

For the calamities of mortal life

Exists, one only;

an assured belief

That the procession of our fate, howe'er

Sad or disturbed, is ordered by a Being

Of infinite benevolence and power,
Whose everlasting purposes embrace
All accidents, converting them to good.

The darts of anguish fix not where the seat
Of suffering hath been thoroughly fortified
By acquiescence in the Will Supreme
For Time and for Eternity; by faith,
Faith absolute in God, including hope,
And the defence that lies in boundless love
Of his perfections; with habitual dread
Of aught unworthily conceived, endured
Impatiently; ill-done, or left undone,
To the dishonour of his holy Name.
Soul of our Souls, and safeguard of the world!
Sustain, Thou only canst, the sick of heart;
Restore their languid spirits, and recall
Their lost affections unto Thee and thine!"
Then as we issued from that covert Nook,
He thus continued-lifting up his eyes
To Heaven. ·

"How beautiful this dome of sky,

And the vast hills, in fluctuation fix'd

At thy command, how awful! Shall the Soul,

Human and rational, report of Thee

Even less than these? Be mute who will, who can,

Yet I will praise thee with empassioned voice: