Of two brave vessels matched in deadly fight, And fighting to the death, but I am pleased More than a wise man ought to be. I wish, Fret, burn, and struggle, and in soul am there; 725 But me hath Nature tamed, and bade to seek For other agitations, or be calm; Hath dealt with me as with a turbulent stream, Some nursling of the mountains, which she leads Through quiet meadows, after he has learnt 730 His strength, and had his triumph and his joy, His desperate course of tumult and of glee. That which in stealth by Nature was performed Hath Reason sanctioned. Her deliberate voice Hath said, “Be mild and cleave to gentle things, 735 Thy glory and thy happiness be there. Nor fear, though thou confide in me, a want Of aspirations that _have_ been, of foes To wrestle with, and victory to complete, Bounds to be leapt, darkness to be explored, 740 All that inflamed thy infant heart, the love, The longing, the contempt, the undaunted quest, All shall survive--though changed their office, all Shall live,--it is not in their power to die.” Then farewell to the Warrior’s schemes, farewell 745 The forwardness of soul which looks that way Upon a less incitement than the cause Of Liberty endangered, and farewell That other hope, long mine, the hope to fill The heroic trumpet with the Muse’s breath! 750 Yet in this peaceful Vale we will not spend Unheard-of days, though loving peaceful thoughts. A voice shall speak, and what will be the theme?[18] [359] The following lines, 71-97, and 110-125, were first published in the _Memoirs of Wordsworth_, in 1851.--ED. [360] … on … 1851. [361] The lines 152-167 were first published in the _Memoirs of Wordsworth_ in 1851.--ED. [362] Mark how the feathered tenants of the flood With grace of motion … MS. [363] … amid … MS. [364] They tempt the water, or … MS. [365] The foregoing twenty-seven lines were published under the title _Water-Fowl_, in the 1827 edition of Wordsworth’s “Poetical Works.” They are also printed in the fifth edition of the _Guide through the District of the Lakes in the North of England_ (section first).--ED. [366] Compare _Paradise Lost_, book xii. l. 646.--ED. [367] Compare, in the _After-Thought_ to “The Duddon Sonnets”-- Still glides the Stream, and shall for ever glide. ED. [368] Compare, in _An Evening Walk_, l. 378-- Or yell, in the deep woods, of lonely hound. ED. [369] Compare Wordsworth’s numerous references to the Cumbrian and Westmoreland “Statesmen,” in his Prose Works, and elsewhere.--ED. [370] Compare _Peter Bell_.--ED. [371] Compare _The Excursion_, book iv. ll. 1175-1187.--ED. [372] Wordsworth says elsewhere that Solitude is blithe Society. ED. [373] John Wordsworth.--ED.