That served my Fellow-traveller to beguile[142]

The way, while we advanced up that wide vale.[BQ]

Diverging now (as if his quest had been[143]

Some secret of the mountains, cavern, fall

Of water, or some lofty eminence,[144]

Renowned for splendid prospect far and wide)

We scaled, without a track to ease our steps,

A steep ascent;[BR] and reached a dreary plain,[145][BS]

With a tumultuous waste of huge hill tops

Before us;[BT] savage region! which I paced