[The walk is what we call the _Far-terrace_, beyond the summerhouse at Rydal Mount. The lines were written when we were afraid of being obliged to quit the place to which we were so much attached.--I.F.] One of the "Inscriptions."--ED. The massy Ways, carried across these heights[430] By Roman perseverance,[431] are destroyed, Or hidden under ground, like sleeping worms. How venture then to hope that Time will spare[432] This humble Walk? Yet on the mountain's side 5 A POET'S hand first shaped it; and the steps Of that same Bard--repeated to and fro At morn, at noon,[433] and under moonlight skies Through the vicissitudes of many a year-- Forbade the weeds to creep o'er its grey line. 10 No longer, scattering to the heedless winds The vocal raptures of fresh poesy, Shall he frequent these precincts; locked no more In earnest converse with beloved Friends, Here will he gather stores of ready bliss, 15 As from the beds and borders of a garden Choice flowers are gathered! But, if Power may spring Out of a farewell yearning--favoured more Than kindred wishes mated suitably With vain regrets--the Exile would consign 20 This Walk, his loved possession, to the care Of those pure Minds that reverence the Muse.[434] FOOTNOTES: [429] The title of these lines in the edition of 1835 was _Inscription_.--ED. [430] 1835. ... once carried o'er these hills MS. [431] Referring to the Roman Way, fragments of which are to be seen on High Street. Ambleside was a Roman station. "At the upper corner of Windermere lieth the dead carcase of an ancient city, with great ruins of walls, and many heaps of rubbish, one from another, remaining of building without the walls, yet to be seen. The fortress thereof was somewhat long, fenced with a ditch and rampire, took up in length 132 ells, and breadth 80. That it had been the Romans' work is evident by the British bricks, by the mortar tempered with little pieces of brick among it, by small earthen pots or pitchers, by small cruets or phials of glass, by pieces of Roman money oftentimes found, and by round stones as big as millstones or quernstones, of which laid and couched together they framed in old times their columns, and by the paved ways leading to it. Now the ancient name is gone, unless a man would guess at it, and think it were that Amboglana, whereof the book of notices maketh mention, seeing at this day it is called Ambleside."--See Camden's _Britannia_, 645 (edition 1590).--ED. [432] 1835. ... to hope that private claims Will from the injuries of time protect MS. [433] 1835. ... and the foot Of that same Bard, by pacing to and fro At morn, and noon, ... MS. [434] 1835.