plot
I wished that thou should'st live the life they lived:
But, 'tis a long time to look back, my Son,
And see so little gain from threescore years.
These fields were burthened0 when they came to me; mortgaged375 Till I was forty years of age, not more
Than half of my inheritance was mine.
I toiled and toiled; God blessed me in my work,
And till these three weeks past the land was free.
?It looks as if it never could endure
38o Another Master. Heaven forgive me, Luke,
If I judge ill for thee, but it seems good
That thou should'st go.'
At this the old Man paused;
Then, pointing to the stones near which they stood,
Thus, after a short silence, he resumed:
.
300 / WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
385 'This was a work for us; and now, my Son,
It is a work for me. But, lay one stone?
Here, lay it for me, Luke, with thine own hands.
Nay, Boy, be of good hope;?we both may live
To see a better day. At eighty-four
390 I still am strong and hale;?do thou thy part;
I will do mine.?I will begin again
With many tasks that were resigned to thee:
Up to the heights, and in among the storms,
Will I without thee go again, and do
395 All works which I was wont to do alone,
Before I knew thy face.?Heaven bless thee, Boy!
Thy heart these two weeks has been beating fast
With many hopes; it should be so?yes?yes?
I knew that thou could'st never have a wish
400 To leave me, Luke: thou hast been bound to me
Only by links of love: when thou art gone,
What will be left to us!?But, I forget
My purposes. Lay now the corner-stone,
As I requested; and hereafter, Luke,
405 When thou art gone away, should evil men
Be thy companions, think of me, my Son,
And of this moment; hither turn thy thoughts,
And God will strengthen thee: amid all fear
And all temptation, Luke, I pray that thou
410 May'st bear in mind the life thy Fathers lived,
Who, being innocent, did for that cause
Bestir them in good deeds. Now, fare thee well?
When thou return'st, thou in this place wilt see
A work which is not here: a covenant
415 'Twill be between us; but, whatever fate
Befal thee, I shall love thee to the last,
