I treat the matter lightly, but, alas!
It is most serious: persevering rain[199]
Had fallen in torrents; all the mountain tops
Were hidden, and black vapours coursed their sides;
This had I seen, and saw; but, till she spake,
Was wholly ignorant that my ancient Friend—
Who at her bidding, early and alone,
Had clomb aloft to delve the moorland[200] turf
For winter fuel—to his noontide meal
Returned not, and now, haply, on the heights[201]