"O happy time! still happier was at hand; 550 For Nature called my Partner to resign Her share in the pure freedom of that life,[256] Enjoyed by us in common.--To my hope, To my heart's wish, my tender Mate became The thankful captive of maternal bonds; 555 And those wild paths were left to me alone. There could I meditate on follies past; And, like a weary voyager escaped From risk and hardship, inwardly retrace A course of vain delights and thoughtless guilt, 560 And self-indulgence--without shame pursued. There, undisturbed, could think of and could thank Her whose submissive spirit was to me Rule and restraint--my guardian--shall I say That earthly Providence, whose guiding love 565 Within a port of rest had lodged me safe; Safe from temptation, and from danger far? Strains followed of acknowledgment addressed To an Authority enthroned above 569 The reach of sight; from whom, as from their source, Proceed all visible ministers of good That walk the earth--Father of heaven and earth, Father, and king, and judge, adored and feared! These acts of mind, and memory, and heart, And spirit--interrupted and relieved 575 By observations transient as the glance Of flying sunbeams, or to the outward form Cleaving with power inherent and intense, As the mute insect fixed upon the plant 579 On whose soft leaves it hangs, and from whose cup It draws its nourishment imperceptibly--[257] Endeared my wanderings; and the mother's kiss And infant's smile awaited my return.