298 Lesson of the Wave [THIRD WEEK 



think of some bird which in the long ago first learned the 

 lesson, whether by chance or, as I have suggested, by 

 observing the victims of the waves. 



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No scientific facts are these, but merely a logical reason- 

 ing deduced from the habits and traits of the birds as we 

 know them to-day; a theory to hold in mind while we 

 watch for its confirmation in the beginning of other new 

 and analogous habits. 



The world is too much with us; late and soon, 

 Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; 



Little we see in Nature that is ours; 



We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon ! 



The Sea that bares her bosom to the moon; 

 The winds that will be howling at all hours, 

 And are up-gather'd now like sleeping flowers; 



For this, for everything, we are out of tune; 



It moves us not. Great God! I'd rather be 



A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn; 

 So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, 



Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn ; 

 Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea; 



Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn. 



WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. 



