Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Scotland: Vols. VI–VIII. 1876–79.

Glencroe

At the Head of Glencroe

By William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

DOUBLING and doubling with laborious walk,

Who that has gained at length the wished-for height,

This brief, this simple wayside call can slight,

And rests not thankful? Whether cheered by talk

With some loved friend, or by the unseen hawk

Whistling to clouds and sky-born streams, that shine

At the sun’s outbreak, as with light divine,

Ere they descend to nourish root and stalk

Of valley flowers. Nor, while the limbs repose,

Will we forget that, as the fowl can keep

Absolute stillness, poised aloft in air,

And fishes front, unmoved, the torrent’s sweep,

So may the soul, through powers that faith bestows,

Win rest and ease and peace, with bliss that angels share.