s, through a ray
Of fainter gold, a purple gleam betray.
Each slip of lawn the broken rocks between
Shines in the light with more than earthly green: [52] 180
Deep yellow beams the scattered stems [53] illume,
Far in the level forest's central gloom:
Waving his hat, the shepherd, from [54] the vale,
Directs his winding dog the cliffs to scale,--
The dog, loud barking, 'mid the glittering rocks, 185
Hunts, where his master points, the intercepted flocks. [55]
Where oaks o'erhang the road the radiance shoots
On tawny earth, wild weeds, and twisted roots;
The druid-stones a brightened ring unfold; [56]
And all the babbling brooks are liquid gold; 190
Sunk to a curve, the day-star lessens still,
Gives one bright glance, and drops [57] behind the hill. [P]

In these secluded vales, if village fame,
Confirmed by hoary hairs, belief may claim;
When up the hills, as now, retired the light, 195
Strange apparitions mocked the shepherd's sight. [58]

The form appears of one that spurs his steed
Midway along the hill with desperate speed; [59]
Unhurt pursues his lengthened flight, while all
Attend, at every stretch, his headlong fall. 200
Anon, appears a brave, a gorgeous show
Of horsemen-shadows moving to and fro; [60]
At intervals imperial banners stream, [61]
And now the van reflects the solar beam; [62]
The rear through iron brown betrays a sullen gleam. 205
While silent stands the admiring crowd below,
Silent the visionary warriors go,
Winding in ordered pomp their upward way [Q]
Till the last banner of their [63] long array
Has disappeared, and every trace is fled 210
Of splendour--save the beacon's spiry head
Tipt with eve's latest gleam of burning red. [64]

Now, while the solemn evening shadows sail,
On slowly-waving pinions, [65] down the vale;
And, fronting the bright west, yon oak entwines 215
Its darkening boughs and leaves, in stronger lines; [66]
'Tis pleasant near the tranquil lake to stray [67]
Where, winding on along some secret bay, [68]
The swan uplifts his chest, and backward flings
His neck, a varying arch, between his towering wings: 220
The eye that marks the gliding creature sees
How graceful, pride can be, and how majestic, ease. [69]

While tender ca