Methinks that to some vacant hermitage _My_ feet would rather turn--to some dry nook Scooped out of living rock, and near a brook Hurled down a mountain-cove from stage to stage, Yet tempering, for my sight, its bustling rage 5 In the soft heaven of a translucent pool; Thence creeping under sylvan[63] arches cool, Fit haunt of shapes whose glorious equipage Would elevate[64] my dreams.[65] A beechen bowl, A maple dish, my furniture should be; 10 Crisp, yellow leaves my bed; the hooting owl My night-watch: nor should e'er the crested fowl From thorp or vill his matins sound for me, Tired of the world and all its industry. FOOTNOTES: [63] 1837. ... forest ... 1822. [64] 1827. Perchance would throng ... 1822. [65] There are several natural "hermitages," such as this, near the Rydal beck.--ED. XXIII REPROOF But what if One, through grove or flowery meed, Indulging thus at will the creeping feet Of a voluptuous indolence, should meet Thy hovering Shade, O[66] venerable Bede! The saint, the scholar, from a circle freed 5 Of toil stupendous, in a hallowed seat Of learning, where thou heard'st[67] the billows beat On a wild coast, rough monitors to feed Perpetual industry.[68] Sublime Recluse! The recreant soul, that dares to shun the debt 10 Imposed on human kind, must first forget Thy diligence, thy unrelaxing use Of a long life; and, in the hour of death, The last dear service of thy passing breath![69] FOOTNOTES: [66] 1827. The hovering Shade of ... 1822. [67] 1827. ... he heard ... 1822. [68] Bede spent the most of his life in the seclusion of the monastery of Jarrow, near the mouth of the Tyne; the wild coast referred to in the Sonnet being the coast of Northumberland.--ED. [69] He expired in the act of concluding a translation of St. John's Gospel.--W. W. 1822. He expired dictating the last words of a translation of St. John's Gospel.--W. W. 1827. XXIV SAXON MONASTERIES, AND LIGHTS AND SHADES OF THE RELIGION By such examples moved to unbought pains, The people work like congregated bees;[70] Eager to build the quiet Fortresses Where Piety, as they believe, obtains From Heaven a _general_ blessing; timely rains 5 Or needful sunshine; prosperous enterprise, Justice and peace:--bold faith! yet also rise The sacred Structures for less doubtful gains.[71] The Sensual think with reverence of the palms Which the chaste Votaries seek, beyond the grave; If penance be redeemable, thence alms 11 Flow to the poor, and freedom to the slave; And if full oft the Sanctuary save Lives black with guilt, ferocity it calms. FOOTNOTES: