BOOK NINTH

RESIDENCE IN FRANCE

  Even as a river,—­partly (it might seem)
  Yielding to old remembrances, and swayed
  In part by fear to shape a way direct,
  That would engulph him soon in the ravenous sea—­
  Turns, and will measure back his course, far back, 5
  Seeking the very regions which he crossed
  In his first outset; so have we, my Friend! 
  Turned and returned with intricate delay. 
  Or as a traveller, who has gained the brow
  Of some aerial Down, while there he halts 10
  For breathing-time, is tempted to review
  The region left behind him; and, if aught
  Deserving notice have escaped regard,
  Or been regarded with too careless eye,
  Strives, from that height, with one and yet one more 15
  Last look, to make the best amends he may: 
  So have we lingered.  Now we start afresh
  With courage, and new hope risen on our toil
  Fair greetings to this shapeless eagerness,
  Whene’er it comes! needful in work so long, 20
  Thrice needful to the argument which now
  Awaits us!  Oh, how much unlike the past!

   Free as a colt at pasture on the hill,
  I ranged at large, through London’s wide domain,
  Month after month [A].  Obscurely did I live, 25
  Not seeking frequent intercourse with men,
  By literature, or elegance, or rank,
  Distinguished.  Scarcely was a year thus spent [A]
  Ere I forsook the crowded solitude,
  With less regret for its luxurious pomp, 30
  And all the nicely-guarded shows of art,
  Than for the humble book-stalls in the streets,
  Exposed to eye and hand where’er I turned.

    France lured me forth; the realm that I had crossed
  So lately [B], journeying toward the snow-clad Alps. 35
  But now, relinquishing the scrip and staff,
  And all enjoyment which the summer sun
  Sheds round the steps of those who meet the day
  With motion constant as his own, I went
  Prepared to sojourn in a pleasant town, [C] 40
  Washed by the current of the stately Loire.

    Through Paris lay my readiest course, and there
  Sojourning a few days, I visited,
  In haste, each spot of old or recent fame,
  The latter chiefly; from the field of Mars 45
  Down to the suburbs of St. Antony,
  And from Mont Martyr southward to the Dome
  Of Genevieve [D].  In both her clamorous Halls,
  The National Synod and the Jacobins,
  I saw the Revolutionary Power 50
  Toss like a ship at anchor, rocked by storms; [E]
  The Arcades I traversed, in the Palace huge
  Of Orleans; [F] coasted round and round