I HAVE seen 



A curious child, who dwelt upon a tract 

 Of inland ground, applying to his ear 

 The convolutions of a smooth-lipped shell. 

 To which, in silence hushed, his very soul 

 Listened intensely; and his countenance soon 

 Brightened with joy; for from within were heard 

 Murmurings, whereby the monitor expressed 

 Mysterious union with its native sea. 



Even such a shell the universe itself 

 Is to the ear of Faith; and there are times, 

 I doubt not, when to you it doth impart 

 Authentic tidings of invisible things; 

 Of ebb and flow, and ever-during power; 

 And central peace, subsisting at the heart 

 Of endless agitation. Here you stand, 

 Adore, and worship, when you know it not; 

 Pious beyond the intention of your thought; 

 Devout above the meaning of your will. 



Wordsworth. 



[8] 



