Ah! what a sweet Recess, thought I, is here! Instantly throwing down my limbs at ease 350 Upon a bed of heath;--full many a spot Of hidden beauty have I chanced to espy Among the mountains; never one like this; So lonesome, and so perfectly secure; Not melancholy--no, for it is green, 355 And bright, and fertile, furnished in itself With the few needful things that[147] life requires. --In rugged arms how softly does it lie,[148] How tenderly protected! Far and near We have an image of the pristine earth, 360 The planet in its nakedness: were this Man's only dwelling, sole appointed seat, First, last, and single, in the breathing world, It could not be more quiet: peace is here Or nowhere; days unruffled by the gale 365 Of public news or private; years that pass Forgetfully; uncalled upon to pay The common penalties of mortal life, Sickness, or accident, or grief, or pain. On these and kindred thoughts intent I lay 370 In silence musing by my Comrade's side,[149] He also silent; when from out the heart Of that profound abyss a solemn voice, Or several voices in one solemn sound, Was heard ascending; mournful, deep, and slow 375 The cadence, as of psalms--a funeral dirge![BZ] We listened, looking down upon the hut,[150] But seeing no one: meanwhile from below The strain continued, spiritual as before; And now distinctly could I recognise 380 These words:--'_Shall in the grave thy love be known,_ _In death thy faithfulness?_'--"God rest his soul!"[151] Said the old man,[152] abruptly breaking silence,-- "He is departed, and finds peace at last!" This scarcely spoken, and those holy strains 385 Not ceasing, forth appeared in view a band Of rustic persons, from behind the hut Bearing a coffin in the midst, with which They shaped their course along the sloping side Of that small valley, singing as they moved;[CA] 390 A sober company and few, the men Bare-headed, and all decently attired! Some steps when they had thus advanced, the dirge Ended; and, from the stillness that ensued Recovering, to my Friend I said, "You spake, 395 Methought, with apprehension that these rites Are paid to Him upon whose shy retreat This day we purposed to intrude."--"I did so, But let us hence, that we may learn the truth: Perhaps it is not he[153] but some one else 400 For whom this pious service is performed; Some other tenant of the solitude."