Part vii

., stanza 23.--ED.

[506] 1837.

... vision bound. 1827.

CONCLUSION

TO ----[507]

Composed 1827.--Published 1827

One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED.

If these brief Records, by the Muses' art Produced as lonely Nature or the strife That animates the scenes of public life[508] Inspired, may in thy leisure claim a part; And if these Transcripts of the private heart 5 Have gained a sanction from thy falling tears; Then I repent not. But my soul hath fears Breathed from eternity; for as a dart Cleaves the blank air, Life flies: now every day Is but a glimmering spoke in the swift wheel 10 Of the revolving week. Away, away, All fitful cares, all transitory zeal! So timely Grace the immortal wing may heal, And honour rest upon the senseless clay.

FOOTNOTES:

[507] I have been unable to discover to whom this _Conclusion_ was addressed. It may have been to his daughter.--ED.

[508] This line alludes to Sonnets which will be found in another Class.--W. W. 1837.

He refers to the sonnets on Liberty, etc.--ED.

1828

The poems belonging to 1828 include _A Morning Exercise_, _The Triad_, two on _The Wishing-Gate_, _The Gleaner_, a sonnet, two short pieces suggested during the fortnight which Wordsworth spent on the Rhine with his daughter and S. T. Coleridge in that year, and the ode on _The Power of Sound_.--ED.

A MORNING EXERCISE

Composed 1828.--Published 1832

[Written at Rydal Mount. I could wish the last five stanzas of this to be read with the poem addressed to the skylark.--I.F.]

One of the "Poems of the Fancy."--ED.

Fancy, who leads the pastimes of the glad, Full oft is pleased a wayward dart to throw; Sending sad shadows after things not sad, Peopling the harmless fields with signs of woe: Beneath her sway, a simple forest cry 5 Becomes an echo of man's misery.

Blithe ravens croak of death; and when the owl Tries his two voices for a favourite strain-- _Tu-whit--Tu-whoo!_ the unsuspecting fowl Forebodes mishap or seems but to complain; 10 Fancy, intent to harass and annoy, Can thus pervert the evidence of joy.

Through border wilds where naked Indians stray, Myriads of notes attest her subtle skill; A feathered task-master cries, "WORK AWAY!" 15 And, in thy iteration, "WHIP POOR WILL!"[509] Is heard the spirit of a toil-worn slave, Lashed out of life, not quiet in the grave.

What wonder? at her bidding, ancient lays Steeped in dire grief the voice of Philomel; 20 And that fleet messenger of summer days, The Swallow, twittered subject to like spell; But ne'er could Fancy bend the buoyant Lark To melancholy service--hark! O hark!

The daisy sleeps upon the dewy lawn, 25 Not lifting yet the head that evening bowed; But _He_ is risen, a later star of dawn, Glittering and twinkling near yon rosy cloud; Bright gem instinct with music, vocal spark; The happiest bird that sprang out of the Ark! 30

Hail, blest above all kinds!--Supremely skilled Restless with fixed to balance, high with low, Thou leav'st the halcyon free her hopes to build On such forbearance as the deep may show; Perpetual flight, unchecked by earthly ties, 35 Leav'st to the wandering bird of paradise.

Faithful, though swift as lightning, the meek dove; Yet more hath Nature reconciled in thee; So constant with thy downward eye of love, Yet, in aërial singleness, so free;[510] 40 So humble, yet so ready to rejoice In power of wing and never-wearied voice.[511]

To the last point of vision, and beyond, Mount, daring warbler!--that love-prompted strain, ('Twixt thee and thine a never-failing bond) 45 Thrills not the less the bosom of the plain: Yet might'st thou seem, proud privilege! to sing All independent of the leafy spring.[512]

How would it please old Ocean to partake, With sailors longing for a breeze in vain, 50 The harmony thy notes most gladly make[513] Where earth resembles most his own domain![514] Urania's self[515] might welcome with pleased ear These matins mounting towards her native sphere.

Chanter by heaven attracted, whom no bars 55 To daylight known deter from that pursuit, 'Tis well that some sage instinct, when the stars Come forth at evening, keeps Thee still and mute; For not an eyelid could to sleep incline Wert thou among them, singing as they shine![516] 60

FOOTNOTES:

[509] See Waterton's _Wanderings in South America_.--W. W. 1832.

Compare the reference to the "Melancholy Muccawiss" in _The Excursion_,

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