Well! that is past—­and in despite
  Of open door and shining light. 
  And now the conqueror essays
  The long ascent of Dunmail-raise; 100
  And with his team is gentle here
  As when he clomb from Rydal Mere;
  His whip they do not dread—­his voice
  They only hear it to rejoice. 
  To stand or go is at their pleasure; 105
  Their efforts and their time they measure
  By generous pride within the breast;
  And, while they strain, and while they rest,
  He thus pursues his thoughts at leisure.

    Now am I fairly safe to-night—­110
  And with proud cause my heart is light:  [15]
  I trespassed lately worse than ever—­
  But Heaven has blest [16] a good endeavour;
  And, to my soul’s content, [17] I find
  The evil One is left behind. 115
  Yes, let my master fume and fret,
  Here am I—­with my horses yet! 
  My jolly team, he finds that ye
  Will work for nobody but me! 
  Full proof of this the Country gained; 120
  It knows how ye were vexed and strained,
  And forced unworthy stripes to bear,
  When trusted to another’s care. [18]
  Here was it—­on this rugged slope,
  Which now ye climb with heart and hope, 125
  I saw you, between rage and fear,
  Plunge, and fling back a spiteful ear,
  And ever more and more confused,
  As ye were more and more abused:  [19]
  As chance would have it, passing by 130
  I saw you in that [20] jeopardy: 
  A word from me was like a charm; [D]
  Ye pulled together with one mind; [21]
  And your huge burthen, safe from harm,
  Moved like a vessel in the wind! 135
  —­Yes, without me, up hills so high
  ’Tis vain to strive for mastery. 
  Then grieve not, jolly team! though tough
  The road we travel, steep, and rough; [22]
  Though Rydal-heights and Dunmail-raise, 140
  And all their fellow banks and braes,
  Full often make you stretch and strain,
  And halt for breath and halt again,
  Yet to their sturdiness ’tis owing
  That side by side we still are going! 145

    While Benjamin in earnest mood
  His meditations thus pursued,
  A storm, which had been smothered long,
  Was growing inwardly more strong;
  And, in its struggles to get free, 150
  Was busily employed as he. 
  The thunder had begun to growl—­
  He heard not, too intent of soul;
  The air was now without a breath—­
  He marked not that ’twas still as death. 155
  But soon large rain-drops on his head [23]
  Fell with the weight of drops of lead;—­
  He starts—­and takes, at the