We will not see them; will not go, Enough if in our hearts we know Be Yarrow stream unseen, unknown! The treasured dreams of times long past, If Care with freezing years should come, Should life be dull, and spirits low, "Twill soothe us in our sorrow, That earth has something yet to show, YARROW VISITED.* SEPTEMBER, 1814. AND is this-Yarrow ?-This the Stream So faithfully, a waking dream? O that some Minstrel's harp were near, And chase this silence from the air, Yet why a silvery current flows And, through her depths, Saint Mary's Lake For not a feature of those hills Is in the mirror slighted. A blue sky bends o'er Yarrow vale, Mild dawn of promise! that excludes * Wordsworth's first visit to the Yarrow was in 1814, accompanied by Hogg (the Ettrick Shepherd ") and Dr. Anderson, editor of an edition of "The British Poets." Though not unwilling here to admit Where was it that the famous Flower Of Yarrow Vale lay bleeding? His bed perchance was yon smooth mound Delicious is the Lay that sings The path that leads them to the grove, And Pity sanctifies the Verse That paints, by strength of sorrow, The unconquerable strength of love ; Bear witness, rueful Yarrow ! But thou, that didst appear so fair To fond imagination, Dost rival in the light of day Her delicate creation : Meek loveliness is round thee spread, A softness still and holy; The grace of forest charms decayed, And pastoral melancholy. That region left, the vale unfolds Rich groves of lofty stature, * And most delicious is the verse in which this sentiment is expressed. -ED. With Yarrow winding through the pomp Of cultivated nature; And, rising from those lofty groves, Behold a Ruin hoary! The shattered front of Newark's Towers, Renowned in Border story. Fair scenes for childhood's opening bloom, For manhood to enjoy his strength; age to wear away in! Yon cottage seems a bower of bliss, A covert for protection * Of tender thoughts, that nestle there— The brood of chaste affection. How sweet, on this autumnal day, The sober Hills thus deck their brows I see but not by sight alone, *It promises protection To studious ease and generous cares And gladsome notes my lips can breathe, The vapours linger round the Heights, Will dwell with me-to heighten joy, THERE was a roaring in the wind all night; "I seldom read or think of this poem without regretting that my dear sister was not of the party, as she would have had so much delight in recalling the time when, travelling together in Scotland, we declined going in search of this celebrated stream, not altogether, I will frankly confess, for the reasons assigned in the poem on the occasion."-W. W. "This fine poem is especially characteristic of the author. There is scarce a defect or excellence in his writings of which it would not present a specimen."-S. T. Coleridge, Biog. Lit. Miss Wordsworth's journal says this poem was written May 7, 1802. The circumstance of meeting with the man will be found described in the Biography by Dr. C. Wordsworth, i. 17 Mr. Wordsworth put the date of 1807 to the poem. |