Ir thou indeed derive thy light from Heaven, And they that from the Zenith dart their beams (Visible though they be to half the earth, Though half a sphere be conscious of their brightness), Are yet of no diviner origin, No purer essence, than the one that burns, Like an untended watch-fire, on the ridge Of some dark mountain; or than those which seem POEMS BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH POEMS WRITTEN IN YOUTH Or the Poems in this class, 'THE EVENING WALK' and 'DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES' were first published in 1793. They are reprinted with some alterations that were chiefly made very soon after their publication. This notice, which was written some time ago, scarcely applies to the Poem, 'Descriptive Sketches,' as it now stands. The corrections, though numerous, are not, however, such as to prevent its retaining with propriety a place in the class of Juvenile Pieces. 1836 I FROM THE CONCLUSION OF A POEM, COMPOSED IN ANTICIPATION D OF LEAVING SCHOOL EAR native regions, I foretell, From what I feel at this farewell, Survive of local sympathy, My soul will cast the backward view, Thus, while the Sun sinks down to rest A lingering light he fondly throws On the dear hills where first he rose. ΙΟ 1786 C II WRITTEN IN VERY EARLY YOUTH ALM is all nature as a resting wheel. The kine are couched upon the dewy grass; The horse alone, seen dimly as I pass, Dark is the ground; a slumber seems to steal Is hushed, am I at rest. My Friends! restrain Published 1802 ΙΟ III AN EVENING WALK ADDRESSED TO A YOUNG LADY General Sketch of the Lakes-Author's regret of his Youth which was passed amongst them-Short description of Noon-Cascade-Noontide Retreat-Precipice and sloping Lights-Face of Nature as the Sun declines-Mountain-farm, and the Cock-Slate-quarry-Sunset-Superstition of the Country connected with that moment-Swans-Female Beggar -Twilight-sounds-Western Lights-Spirits-Night-Moonlight-Hope-Night-sounds-Conclusion. AR from my dearest Friend, 'tis mine to rove FAR Through bare grey dell, high wood, and pastoral cove; Where Derwent rests, and listens to the roar Fair scenes, erewhile, I taught, a happy child, In youth's keen eye the livelong day was bright, 1 These lines are only applicable to the middle part of that lake. IO Alike, when first the bittern's hollow bill Was heard, or woodcocks1 roamed the moonlight hill. In thoughtless gaiety I coursed the plain, For then the inexperienced heart would beat 20 And wild Impatience, pointing upward, showed,> Longary But why, ungrateful, dwell on idle pain? Melton 30 40 When, in the south, the wan noon, brooding still Breathed a pale steam around the glaring hill, And shades of deep-embattled clouds were seen, Spotting the northern cliffs with lights between ; When crowding cattle, checked by rails that make A fence far stretched into the shallow lake, Lashed the cool water with their restless tails, Or from high points of rock looked out for fanning gales; When school-boys stretched their length upon the green; And round the broad-spread oak, a glimmering scene, In the rough fern-clad park, the herded deer Shook the still-twinkling tail and glancing ear; When horses in the sunburnt intake 2 stood, And vainly eyed below the tempting flood, Or tracked the passenger, in mute distress, With forward neck the closing gate to pressThen, while I wandered where the huddling rill Brightens with water-breaks the hollow ghyll,31 As by enchantment, an obscure retreat Opened at once, and stayed my devious feet. While thick above the rill the branches close, In rocky basin its wild waves repose, 50 1 In the beginning of winter, these mountains are frequented by woodcocks, which in dark nights retire into the woods. 2 The word intake is local, and signifies a mountain-inclosure. 3 Ghyll is also, I believe, a term confined to this country: ghyll, and dingle, have the same meaning. Inverted shrubs, and moss of gloomy green, Cling from the rocks, with pale wood-weeds between; 60 Save where aloft the subtle sunbeams shine Where antique roots its bustling course o'erlook, Half grey, half shagged with ivy to its ridge; -Did Sabine grace adorn my living line, Blandusia's praise, wild stream, should yield to thine! 'Mid thy soft glooms the glittering steel unsheath; The mystic shapes that by thy margin rove A more benignant sacrifice approve A mind that, in a calm angelic mood Of happy wisdom, meditating good, Beholds, of all from her high powers required, Much done, and much designed, and more desired,- Dear Brook, farewell! To-morrow's noon again While, near the midway cliff, the silvered kite Cheering its naked waste of scattered stone, How pleasant, as the sun declines, to view 70 80 90 1 The reader, who has made the tour of this country, will recognise in this description the features which characterise the lower waterfall in the grounds of Rydal. |