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WHEN, in the south, the wan noon, brooding still,
Breathed a pale steam around the glaring hill,
And shades of deep-embattled clouds were seen,
Spotting the northern cliffs with lights between ;
Gazing the tempting shades to them denied,
When stood the shortened herds amid the tide,
Where from the barren wall's unsheltered end
Long rails into the shallow lake extend.

WORDSWORTH.

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RESOLUTION AND INDEPENDENCE.

A GENTLE answer did the old man make,

In courteous speech which forth he slowly drew;
And him with further words I thus bespake :
"What kind of work is that which you pursue?

This is a lonesome place for one like you."
He answered me with pleasure and surprise,
And there was, while he spake, a fire about his eyes.

He told me that he to this pond had come
To gather leeches, being old and poor:
Employment hazardous and wearisome!

And he had many hardships to endure:

From pond to pond he roamed, from moor to moor; Housing, with God's good help, by choice or chance; And in this way he gained an honest maintenance.

The old man still stood talking by my side;
But now his voice to me was like a stream
Scarce heard; nor word from word could I divide;
And the whole body of the man did seem
Like one whom I had met with in a dream;

Or, like a man from some far region sent,

To give me human strength and strong admonishment.

WORDSWORTH.

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