As I came down the hill, reflecting upon all these things, I found myself repeating aloud the words of Miranda:
"Oh wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world
That has such people in't."
And so my narrative must close. Friendly town of Hempfield! Even if I write no more about you I shall still feel your presence just beyond the hills. On calm mornings from the top of my pasture I shall see the smoke of your friendly fires, and when the wind favours on sunny Sabbath mornings I shall hear the distant and drowsy sweet sound of your bells. And Anthy and Nort, Fergus MacGregor, and Captain Doane, and Ed Smith—how I have enjoyed you all and all I have known of you! As I look back to the time before I knew you the world seems small and cold, and even the hills and the fields and the town somehow less admirable. I shall not easily let you go out of my life! And twinkling Star of Hempfield—may you long continue to illuminate this small corner of the world!