And lived so long in quiet, side by side. 260 Shall we behold them, consecrated friends, Faithful companions, yet another year Surviving--they for us, and we for them-- And neither pair be broken? Nay perchance It is too late already for such hope, 265 The Dalesmen may have aimed the deadly tube, And parted them; or haply both are gone One death, and that were mercy given to both. Recal my song the ungenerous thought; forgive, Thrice favoured Region, the conjecture harsh 270 Of such inhospitable penalty, Inflicted upon confidence so pure. Ah, if I wished to follow where the sight Of all that is before mine eyes, the voice Which speaks from a presiding Spirit here, 275 Would lead me, I should whisper to myself; They who are dwellers in this holy place Must needs themselves be hallowed, they require No benediction from the stranger’s lips, For they are blest already. None would give 280 The greeting “peace be with you” unto them, For peace they have, it cannot but be theirs, And mercy, and forbearance. Nay--not these, Their healing offices a pure goodwill Precludes, and charity beyond the bounds 285 Of charity--an overflowing love, Not for the creature only, but for all That is around them, love for every thing Which in this happy region they behold! Thus do we soothe ourselves, and when the thought 290 Is past we blame it not for having come. What, if I floated down a pleasant Stream And now am landed, and the motion gone, Shall I reprove myself? Ah no, the stream Is flowing, and will never cease to flow,[367] 295 And I shall float upon that stream again. By such forgetfulness the soul becomes, Words cannot say, how beautiful. Then hail, Hail to the visible Presence, hail to thee, Delightful Valley, habitation fair! 300 And to whatever else of outward form Can give us inward help, can purify, And elevate, and harmonise, and soothe, And steal away, and for a while deceive And lap in pleasing rest, and bear us on 305 Without desire in full complacency, Contemplating perfection absolute And entertained as in a placid sleep. But not betrayed by tenderness of mind That feared, or wholly overlooked the truth, 310 Did we come hither, with romantic hope To find, in midst of so much loveliness, Love, perfect love; of so much majesty A like majestic frame of mind in those Who here abide, the persons like the place. 315 Not from such hope, or aught of such belief Hath issued any portion of the joy Which I have felt this day. An awful voice,