COMPOSED BY THE SIDE OF GRASMERE LAKE. 1807

By William Wordsworth

Clouds, lingering yet, extendin solid bars

Through the grey west; and lo! these waters, steeled

By breezeless air to smoothest polish, yield

A vivid repetitionof the stars;

Jove, Venus, and the ruddy crest of Mars

Amid his fellows beauteously revealed

At happy distance from earth's groaning field,

Where ruthless mortals wage incessant wars.

Is it a mirror?— or the nether Sphere

Opening to view the abyss in which she feeds

Her own calm fires?— But list! a voice is near;

Great Pan himself low-whispering through the reeds,

“Be thankful, thou; for, if unholy deeds

Ravage the world, tranquillity is here!”