Stripped of his voice [M] and left to dimple down
  (Without an effort and without a will) 55
  A channel paved by man’s officious care. [N]
  I looked at him and smiled, and smiled again,
  And in the press of twenty thousand thoughts, [O]
  “Ha,” quoth I, “pretty prisoner, are you there!”
  Well might sarcastic Fancy then have whispered, 60
  “An emblem here behold of thy own life;
  In its late course of even days with all
  Their smooth enthralment;” but the heart was full,
  Too full for that reproach.  My aged Dame
  Walked proudly at my side:  she guided me; 65
  I willing, nay—­nay, wishing to be led. 
—­The face of every neighbour whom I met
  Was like a volume to me; some were hailed
  Upon the road, some busy at their work,
  Unceremonious greetings interchanged 70
  With half the length of a long field between. 
  Among my schoolfellows I scattered round
  Like recognitions, but with some constraint
  Attended, doubtless, with a little pride,
  But with more shame, for my habiliments, 75
  The transformation wrought by gay attire. 
  Not less delighted did I take my place
  At our domestic table:  and, [P] dear Friend
  In this endeavour simply to relate
  A Poet’s history, may I leave untold 80
  The thankfulness with which I laid me down
  In my accustomed bed, more welcome now
  Perhaps than if it had been more desired
  Or been more often thought of with regret;
  That lowly bed whence I had heard the wind 85
  Roar and the rain beat hard, where I so oft
  Had lain awake on summer nights to watch
  The moon in splendour couched among the leaves
  Of a tall ash, that near our cottage stood; [Q]
  Had watched her with fixed eyes while to and fro 90
  In the dark summit of the waving tree
  She rocked with every impulse of the breeze.

    Among the favourites whom it pleased me well
  To see again, was one by ancient right
  Our inmate, a rough terrier of the hills; 95
  By birth and call of nature pre-ordained
  To hunt the badger and unearth the fox
  Among the impervious crags, but having been
  From youth our own adopted, he had passed
  Into a gentler service.  And when first 100
  The boyish spirit flagged, and day by day
  Along my veins I kindled with the stir,
  The fermentation, and the vernal heat
  Of poesy, affecting private shades
  Like a sick Lover, then this dog was used 105
  To watch me, an attendant and a friend,
  Obsequious to my steps early and late,
  Though often of such dilatory walk
  Tired, and uneasy at the halts I made.