SCENE ON THE LAKE OF BRIENTZ "What know we of the Blest above But that they sing and that they love?"[HR] Yet, if they ever did inspire A mortal hymn, or shaped the choir, Now, where those harvest Damsels float 5 Home-ward in their rugged Boat, (While all the ruffling winds are fled-- Each slumbering on some mountain's head) Now, surely, hath that gracious aid Been felt, that influence is displayed. 10 Pupils of Heaven, in order stand The rustic Maidens, every hand Upon a Sister's shoulder laid,-- To chant, as glides the boat along, A simple, but a touching, song; 15 To chant, as Angels do above, The melodies of Peace in love! The only reference to a "scene on the lake of Brientz" in Mrs. Wordsworth's Journal which could have given rise to the preceding poem is the following:--"William's desires extended to a promontory, whence he hoped to see the termination of the lake, and thither he is gone to look out for the Boat, our friends being upon the water. I am left to rest under the shade of some beeches. A fine walk we have had; bold immensely high limestone rocks above my head, grey hoary steeps, magnificent walnut trees, the favourite of the country; Swiss figures gliding among the trees, with their deep bright baskets on their backs; pines climbing up to the sky, fringing the rocks; scarlet barberries glittering, and tipping the pendent boughs of the beech or walnut trees below," etc. etc. "Wednesday, 9th August. Interlachen.--Our minstrel peasants passed us on the water, no longer singing _plaintive_ ditties such as inspired the little poem, which I shall transcribe in the following page; but with bursts of merriment they rowed lustily away. The poet has, however, transported the minstrels in their gentle mood from the Cottage door to the calm Lake." (From Dorothy Wordsworth's Journal, vol. i.)--ED. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote HR: Compare Edmund Waller, _Upon the Death of my Lady Rich_, ll. 75, 76-- So all we know of what they do above Is that they happy are, and that they love. Also, ll. 10-12 of his song, beginning, "While I listen to thy voice"-- For all we know Of what the Blessed do above Is, that they sing, and that they love. ED. ] XVII ENGELBERG, THE HILL OF ANGELS[504] For gentlest uses, oft-times Nature takes The work of Fancy from her willing hands; And such a[505] beautiful creation makes As renders needless spells and magic wands, And for the boldest tale belief commands. 5 When first mine eyes beheld that famous Hill The sacred ENGELBERG, celestial Bands, With intermingling motions soft and still, Hung round its top, on wings that changed their hues at will.