On Nature's invitation do I come...

On Nature's invitation do I come,

By Reason sanctioned. Can the choice mislead,

That made the calmest, fairest spot of earth,

With all its unappropriated good,

My own, and not mine only, for with me

Entrenched — say rather peacefully embowered —

Under yon orchard, in yon humble cot,

A younger orphan of a home extinct,

The only daughter of my parents dwells:

Aye, think on that, my heart, and cease to stir;

Pause upon that, and let the breathing frame

No longer breathe, but all be satisfied.

Oh, if such silence be not thanks to God

For what hath been bestowed, then where, where then

Shall gratitude find rest? Mine eyes did ne'er

Fix on a lovely object, nor my mind

Take pleasure in the midst of happy thoughts,

But either she, whom now I have, who now

Divides with me this loved abode, was there,

Or not far off. Where'er my footsteps turned,

Her voice was like a hidden bird that sang;

The thought of her was like a flash of light

Or an unseen companionship, a breath

Or fragrance independent of the wind.

In all my goings, in the new and old

Of all my meditations, and in this

Favourite of all, in this the most of all....

Embrace me then, ye hills, and close me in.

Now in the clear and open day I feel

Your guardianship: I take it to my heart;

‘ Tis like the solemn shelter of the night.

But I would call thee beautiful; for mild,

And soft, and gay, and beautiful thou art,

Dear valley, having in thy face a smile,

Though peaceful, full of gladness. Thou art pleased,

Pleased with thy crags, and woody steeps, thy lake,

Its one green island, and its winding shores,

The multitude of little rocky hills,

Thy church, and cottages of mountain-stone

Clustered like stars some few, but single most,

And lurking dimly in their shy retreats,

Or glancing at each other cheerful looks,

Like separated stars with clouds between.