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ELEGY WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD. 137
A nd many a holy text ar ound she strews,
That teach the ru stic mora list to die.
22. For who to dumb Forgetfulness a prey,
This pleasing, an xious being, e'er resigned j
Left the warm prec incts of th e cheerful day.
• · 01' cast one longing, lingeri ng look behind 1
23. On some fond breast the parting scul relies,
Some pious drops the closing eyc requires ;
E ven from the tomb the voice of Nature cries­
E ven in our ashes live th eir wonted fires.
24. For th ee, who, mindful of th e unhonoured dend,
Dost in these lin es th eir artless ta le relate, ­
If chance, by IonelyContemplat ion led,
Some kindred spirit sha ll inquire thy fat e,
25. H aply some hoary-headed swain may say,
" Oft hav e we seen him at th e peep of dawn
Bru shing with hasty steps th e dews away,
To meet th e sun upon th e upl and la wn.
26." Th ere, at th e foot of yond er nodding beech,
That wreathes its old fantastic roots so high,
His listl ess length at noontide would he st retch,
And pore upon th e brook that babbles by.
2i." H ar d by yon wood, now smiling as in scorn ,
)Iutteri ng his wayward fancies he would rove j
• TO W drooping, woful, wan , like one forlorn,
Or crazed with care, or crossed in hopeless 10"0.
28." One morn I missed him on th e accustomed hill,
Along th e heath, and near his favourite tree ;