Forth from his eyes, when first the Boy looked down on that huge oak,

For length of days so much revered, so famous where it stands 35

For twofold hallowing—Nature’s care, and work of human hands?

Strong as an Eagle with my charge I glided round and round

The wide-spread boughs, for view of door, window, and stair that wound

Gracefully up the gnarled trunk; nor left we unsurveyed

The pointed steeple peering forth from the centre of the shade. 40

I lighted—opened with soft touch the chapel’s iron door,[232]

Past softly, leading in the Boy; and, while from roof to floor

From floor to roof all round his eyes the Child with wonder cast,[233]