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page viii
along the fell to the foot of Grasmere Lake, and thence
round by the church of Grasmere; or, turning round Loughrigg
Fell by Loughrigg Tarn and the River Brathay, back to
Ambleside. From Ambleside is another charming excursion by
Clappersgate, where cross the Brathay, and proceed with the
river on the right to the hamlet of Skelwith-fold; when the
houses are passed, turn, before you descend the hill,
through a gate on the right, and from a rocky point is a
fine view of the Brathay River, Langdale Pikes, &c.;
then proceed to Colwith Force, and up Little Langdale to
Blea Tarn. The scene in which this small piece of water
lies, suggested to the Author the following description,
(given in his Poem of the Excursion) supposing the spectator
to look down upon it, not from the road, but from one of its
elevated sides.
--- "Behold!
Beneath our feet, a little lowly Vale,
A lowly Vale, and yet uplifted high
Among the mountains; even as if the spot
Had been, from eldest time by wish of theirs,
So placed, to be shut out from all the world!
Urn-like it was in shape, deep as an Urn;
With rocks encompassed, save that to the South
Was one small opening, where a heath-clad ridge
Supplied a boundary less abrupt and close;
A quiet treeless nook,* with two green fields,
A liquid pool that glittered in the sun,
And one bare Dwelling; one Abode, no more!
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