We were tried Friends: amid a pleasant vale, In the antique market-village where was passed My school-time,[W1] an apartment he had owned, To which at intervals the Wanderer drew,[14] 55 And found a kind of home or harbour there. He loved me; from a swarm of rosy boys Singled out me, as he in sport would say, For my grave looks, too thoughtful for my years. As I grew up, it was my best delight 60 To be his chosen comrade. Many a time, On holidays, we rambled through the woods: We sate--we walked; he pleased me with report[15] Of things which he had seen; and often touched Abstrusest matter, reasonings of the mind 65 Turned inward; or at my request would sing[16] Old songs, the product of his native hills;[17] A skilful distribution of sweet sounds, Feeding the soul, and eagerly imbibed As cool refreshing water, by the care 70 Of the industrious husbandman, diffused Through a parched meadow-ground, in time of drought. Still deeper welcome found his pure discourse: How precious when in riper days I learned To weigh with care his words, and to rejoice 75 In the plain presence of his dignity! Oh! many are the Poets that are sown By Nature; men endowed with highest gifts, The vision and the faculty divine;[X] Yet wanting the accomplishment of verse, 80 (Which, in the docile season of their youth, It was denied them to acquire, through lack Of culture and the inspiring aid of books, Or haply by a temper too severe, Or a nice backwardness afraid of shame) 85 Nor having e'er, as life advanced, been led By circumstance to take unto the height The measure of themselves, these favoured Beings, All but a scattered few, live out their time, Husbanding that which they possess within, 90 And go to the grave, unthought of. Strongest minds Are often those of whom the noisy world Hears least;[Y] else surely this Man had not left[Z] His graces unrevealed and unproclaimed. But, as the mind was filled with inward light,[AA] 95 So not without distinction had he lived, Beloved and honoured--far as he was known. And some small portion of his eloquent speech, And something that may serve to set in view The feeling pleasures of his loneliness, 100 His observations, and the thoughts his mind[18] Had dealt with--I will here record in verse; Which, if with truth it correspond, and sink Or rise as venerable Nature leads, The high and tender Muses shall accept 105 With gracious smile, deliberately pleased, And listening Time reward with sacred praise.