book iv
. l. 1167 (vol. v. p. 188); also the lines (vol. iv, p. 67) beginning--
O Nightingale! thou surely art A creature of a "fiery heart."--ED.
[997] 1837.
... moon's light. Wanderer by ... 1835.
[998] The Thessalian valley, five miles long, from Olympus to Ossa, through which the Peneus makes its way to the Ægean sea.--ED.
"SOFT AS A CLOUD IS YON BLUE RIDGE--THE MERE"
Composed 1834.--Published 1835
One of the "Evening Voluntaries."--ED.
Soft as a cloud is yon blue Ridge--the Mere[999] Seems firm as solid crystal, breathless, clear, And motionless; and, to the gazer's eye, Deeper than ocean, in the immensity Of its vague mountains and unreal sky! 5 But, from the process in that still retreat, Turn to minuter changes at our feet; Observe how dewy Twilight has withdrawn The crowd of daisies from the shaven lawn, And has restored to view its tender green, 10 That, while the sun rode high, was lost beneath their dazzling sheen. --An emblem this of what the sober Hour Can do for minds disposed to feel its power! Thus oft, when we in vain have wish'd away The petty pleasures of the garish day, 15 Meek eve shuts up the whole usurping host (Unbashful dwarfs each glittering at his post) And leaves the disencumbered spirit free To reassume a staid simplicity.
'Tis well--but what are helps of time and place, 20 When wisdom stands in need of nature's grace; Why do good thoughts, invoked or not, descend, Like Angels from their bowers, our virtues to befriend; If yet To-morrow, unbelied, may say, "I come to open out, for fresh display, 25 The elastic vanities of yesterday?"
FOOTNOTES:
[999] The "mere" was probably Rydal, and the "ridge" that of Silver How.--ED.
"THE LEAVES THAT RUSTLED ON THIS OAK-CROWNED HILL"
Composed 1834.--Published 1835
[Composed by the side of Grasmere lake. The mountains that enclose the vale, especially towards Easdale, are most favorable to the reverberation of sound. There is a passage in _The Excursion_ towards the close of the fourth book, where the voice of the raven in flight is traced through the modifications it undergoes, as I have often heard it in that vale and others of this district.[1000]
"Often, at the hour When issue forth the first pale stars, is heard, Within the circuit of this fabric huge, One voice--the solitary raven."--I. F.]
One of the "Evening Voluntaries."--ED.
The leaves that rustled on this oak-crowned hill, And sky that danced among those leaves, are still; Rest smooths the way for sleep; in field and bower Soft shades and dews have shed their blended power On drooping eyelid and the closing flower; 5 Sound is there none at which the faintest heart Might leap, the weakest nerve of superstition start; Save when the Owlet's unexpected scream Pierces the ethereal vault; and ('mid the gleam Of unsubstantial imagery, the dream, 10 From the hushed vale's realities, transferred To the still lake) the imaginative Bird Seems, 'mid inverted mountains, not unheard.
Grave Creature!--whether, while the moon shines bright On thy wings opened wide for smoothest flight, 15 Thou art discovered in a roofless tower, Rising from what may once have been a lady's bower; Or spied where thou sitt'st moping in thy mew At the dim centre of a churchyard yew; Or, from a rifted crag or ivy tod 20 Deep in a forest, thy secure abode, Thou giv'st, for pastime's sake, by shriek or shout, A puzzling notice of thy whereabout-- May the night never come, nor[1001] day be seen, When I shall scorn thy voice or mock thy mien! 25
In classic ages men perceived a soul Of sapience in thy aspect, headless Owl! Thee Athens reverenced in the studious grove;[1002] And, near the golden sceptre grasped by Jove, His Eagle's favourite perch, while round him sate 30 The Gods revolving the decrees of Fate, Thou, too, wert present at Minerva's side: Hark to that second larum!--far and wide The elements have heard, and rock and cave replied.
FOOTNOTES:
[1000] See also the extract from Dorothy Wordsworth's Journal, in the note to _The Excursion_ (vol. v. p. 189).--ED.
[1001] 1837.
... the ... 1835.
[1002] The owl became the emblem of Athens--and was associated with Minerva--because the birds abounded there.--ED.
THE LABOURER'S NOON-DAY HYMN
Composed 1834.--Published 1835
[Bishop Ken's Morning and Evening Hymns are, as they deserve to be, familiarly known. Many other hymns have also been written on the same subject; but, not being aware of any designed for noon-day, I was induced to compose these verses. Often one has occasion to observe cottage children carrying, in their baskets, dinner to their Fathers engaged with their daily labours in the fields and woods. How gratifying would it be to me could I be assured that any portion of these stanzas had been sung by such a domestic concert under such circumstances. A friend of mine has told me that she introduced this Hymn into a village-school which she superintended, and the stanzas in succession furnished her with texts to comment upon in a way which without difficulty was made intelligible to the children, and in which they obviously took delight, and they were taught to sing it to the tune of the old 100th Psalm.--I.F.]
One of the "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection."--ED.
Up to the throne of God is borne The voice of praise at early morn, And he accepts the punctual hymn Sung as the light of day grows dim.
Nor will he turn his ear aside 5 From holy offerings at noontide. Then here reposing let us raise A song of gratitude and praise.
What though our burthen be not light, We need not toil from morn to night; 10 The respite of the mid-day hour Is in the thankful Creature's power.
Blest are the moments, doubly blest, That, drawn from this one hour of rest, Are with a ready heart bestowed 15 Upon the service of our God!
Each field is then a hallowed spot,[1003] An altar is in each man's cot, A church in every grove that spreads Its living roof above our heads. 20
Look up to Heaven! the industrious Sun Already half his race hath run; _He_ cannot halt nor go astray, But our immortal Spirits may.
Lord! since his rising in the East, 25 If we have faltered or transgressed, Guide, from thy love's abundant source, What yet remains of this day's course:
Help with thy grace, through life's short day, Our upward and our downward way; 30 And glorify for us the west, When we shall sink to final rest.
FOOTNOTES:
[1003] 1845.
Why should we crave a hallowed spot? 1835.
THE REDBREAST
(SUGGESTED IN A WESTMORELAND COTTAGE)
Composed 1834.--Published 1835
[Written at Rydal Mount. All our cats having been banished the house, it was soon frequented by redbreasts. Two or three of them, when the window was open, would come in, particularly when Mrs. Wordsworth was breakfasting alone, and hop about the table picking up the crumbs. My sister being then confined to her room by sickness, as, dear creature, she still is, had one that, without being caged, took up its abode with her, and at night used to perch upon a nail from which a picture had hung. It used to sing and fan her face with its wings in a manner that was very touching.--I.F.]
One of the "Poems founded on the Affections."--ED.
Driven in by Autumn's sharpening air From half-stripped woods and pastures bare, Brisk Robin seeks a kindlier home: Not like a beggar is he come, But enters as a looked-for guest, 5 Confiding in his ruddy breast, As if it were a natural shield Charged with a blazon on the field, Due to that good and pious deed Of which we in the Ballad read. 10 But pensive fancies putting by, And wild-wood sorrows, speedily He plays the expert ventriloquist; And, caught by glimpses now--now missed, Puzzles the listener with a doubt 15 If the soft voice he throws about Comes from within doors or without! Was ever such a sweet confusion, Sustained by delicate illusion? He's at your elbow--to your feeling 20 The notes are from the floor or ceiling; And there's a riddle to be guessed, 'Till you have marked his heaving chest, And busy throat whose sink and swell,[1004] Betray the Elf that loves to dwell 25 In Robin's bosom, as a chosen cell.
Heart-pleased we smile upon the Bird If seen, and with like pleasure stirred Commend him, when he's only heard. But small and fugitive our gain 30 Compared with _hers_[1005] who long hath lain, With languid limbs and patient head Reposing on a lone sick-bed; Where now, she[1006] daily hears a strain That cheats her[1007] of too busy cares, 35 Eases her pain, and helps her prayers.[1008] And who but this dear Bird beguiled The fever of that pale-faced Child; Now cooling, with his passing wing, Her forehead, like a breeze of Spring: 40 Recalling now, with descant soft Shed round her pillow from aloft, Sweet thoughts of angels hovering nigh, And the invisible sympathy Of "Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and John, 45 Blessing the bed she lies upon?"[1009] And sometimes, just as listening ends In slumber, with the cadence blends A dream of that low-warbled hymn Which old folk, fondly pleased to trim 50 Lamps of faith, now burning dim, Say that the Cherubs carved in stone, When clouds gave way at dead of night And the ancient church was filled with light,[1010] Used to sing in heavenly tone, 55 Above and round the sacred places They guard, with winged baby-faces.
Thrice happy Creature! in all lands Nurtured by hospitable hands: Free entrance to this cot has he, 60 Entrance and exit both _yet_ free; And, when the keen unruffled weather That thus brings man and bird together, Shall with its pleasantness be past, And casement closed and door made fast, 65 To keep at bay the howling blast, _He_ needs not fear the season's rage, For the whole house is Robin's cage. Whether the bird flit here or there, O'er table _lilt_, or perch on chair, 70 Though some may frown and make a stir, To scare him as a trespasser, And he belike will flinch or start, Good friends he has to take his part; One chiefly, who with voice and look 75 Pleads for him from the chimney-nook, Where sits the Dame, and wears away Her long and vacant holiday; With images about her heart, Reflected from the years gone by, 80 On human nature's second infancy.
FOOTNOTES:
[1004] 1836.
... breast, Where tiny sinking, and faint swell, 1835.
[1005] 1845.
... _his_ ... 1835.
[1006] 1845.
... he ... 1835.
[1007] 1845.
... him ... 1835.
[1008] 1845.
Eases his pain, and helps his prayers. 1835.
[1009] The words--
"Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and John, Bless the bed that I lie on,"
are part of a child's prayer, still in general use through the northern counties.--W. W. 1835.
[1010] 1836.
And the moon filled the church with light, 1835.
ADDENDA
(1) p. 35. _How soon--alas! etc._
The following version is written in the late Lord Coleridge's copy of the Poems:--
Alas! full soon did man created pure, By Angels guarded, deviate from the line Of innocence, and woeful forfeiture Incur by wilful breach of law divine. Even so Christ's church, how prone was she to appear Obedient to her Lord, how prompt to twine 'Mid glorious flowers that shall for aye endure, Weeds on whose front the world hath fixed her sign. So Man, if with thy trials thus it fares, And good can smooth the way to evil choice, From hasty censure be the mind kept free. He only judges right who weighs, compares, And in the sternest sentence, which his voice May utter, ne'er abandons Charity.
C.
(2) p. 83. _Down a swift stream, etc._, l. 14--
The manifold aspects of our sacred theme.
C.
(3) p. 86. _Bishops and Priests_, _etc._, l. 1--
... how blessed ...
C.
(4) p. 160, footnote [448]--
The extract is from _The Shepherd and the Calm_, p. 113, in _Miscellany Poems on Several Occasions, written by a Lady, Anne Finch, Countesse of W._, 1713.
(5) p. 306. _Fancy and Tradition_, l. 4--
Ere he took flight; the Sage in this alcove
MS.
(6) p. 307. _Fancy and Tradition_, l. 12--
There is an ampler page from which to quote,
MS.
(7) p. 342. _Adieu, Rydalian Laurels_, _etc._, l. 2--
As if not ignorant that days would come
MS.
(8) p. 358. _Stanzas suggested in a Steam-boat_, ll. 156-9--
Would merge, Idolatress of formal skill, In her own systems, God's eternal will, To her, despising faith in things unseen, Matter and spirit are in one machine.
C.
END OF VOL. VII
_Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, _Edinburgh_.
Transcriber's Notes:
Simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors were corrected.
Punctuation normalized.
Anachronistic and non-standard spellings retained as printed.
Italics markup is enclosed in _underscores_.
Greek text is transliterated and enclosed in #number symbols#.
Dagger symbol is denoted as [dagger].