Part 24

"Brought from the woods the honeysuckle twines Around the porch, and seems, in that trim place, 1150 A plant no longer wild; the cultured rose There blossoms, strong in health, and will be soon Roof-high; the wild pink crowns the garden-wall, And with the flowers are intermingled stones Sparry and bright, rough scatterings[623] of the hills. 1155 These ornaments, that fade not with the year, A hardy Girl continues to provide; Who, mounting fearlessly the rocky heights, Her Father's prompt attendant, does for him All that a boy could do, but with delight 1160 More keen and prouder daring; yet hath she, Within the garden, like the rest, a bed For her own flowers and favourite herbs, a space, By sacred charter, holden for her use. --These, and whatever else the garden bears 1165 Of fruit or flower, permission asked or not, I freely gather; and my leisure draws A not unfrequent pastime from the hum Of bees around their range of sheltered hives Busy in that enclosure; while the rill,[624] 1170 That sparkling thrids the rocks, attunes his voice To the pure course of human life which there Flows on in solitude. But, when the gloom Of night is falling round my steps, then most This Dwelling charms me; often I stop short,[625] 1175 (Who could refrain?) and feed by stealth my sight With prospect of the company within, Laid open through the blazing window:--there I see the eldest Daughter at her wheel Spinning amain, as if to overtake 1180 The never-halting time; or, in her turn, Teaching some Novice of the sisterhood That skill in this or other household work, Which, from her Father's honoured hand, herself, While she was yet a little-one, had learned. 1185 Mild Man! he is not gay, but they are gay; And the whole house seems filled with gaiety. --Thrice happy, then, the Mother may be deemed, The Wife, from whose consolatory grave[626] I turned, that ye in mind might witness where, 1190 And how, her Spirit yet survives on earth!"

_Book Sixth, continued in Editions of 1814 and 1820 only_

"The next three Ridges--those upon the left-- By close connexion with our present thoughts Tempt me to add, in praise of humble worth, Their brief and unobtrusive history. 1195 --One Hillock, ye may note, is small and low, Sunk almost to a level with the plain By weight of time; the Others, undepressed, Are bold and swelling. There a Husband sleeps, Deposited, in pious confidence 1200 Of glorious resurrection with the just, Near the loved Partner of his early days; And, in the bosom of that family mold, A second Wife is gathered to his side; The approved Assistant of an arduous course 1205 From his mid noon of manhood to old age! He also of his Mate deprived, was left Alone--'mid many Children; One a Babe Orphaned as soon as born. Alas! 'tis not In course of nature that a Father's wing 1210 Should warm these Little-ones; and can he _feed_? That was a thought of agony more keen. For, hand in hand with Death, by strange mishap And chance-encounter on their diverse road, The ghastlier shape of Poverty had entered 1215 Into that House, unfeared and unforeseen. He had stepped forth, in time of urgent need, The generous Surety of a Friend: and now The widowed Father found that all his rights In his paternal fields were undermined. 1220 Landless he was and pennyless.--The dews Of night and morn that wet the mountain sides, The bright stars twinkling on their dusky tops, Were conscious of the pain that drove him forth From his own door, he knew not when--to range 1225 He knew not where; distracted was his brain, His heart was cloven; and full oft he prayed, In blind despair, that God would take them all. --But suddenly, as if in one kind moment To encourage and reprove, a gleam of light 1230 Broke from the very bosom of that cloud Which darkened the whole prospect of his days. For He, who now possessed the joyless right To force the Bondsman from his house and lands, In pity, and by admiration urged 1235 Of his unmurmuring and considerate mind Meekly submissive to the law's decree, Lightened the penalty with liberal hand. --The desolate Father raised his head, and looked On the wide world in hope. Within these walls, 1240 In course of time was solemnized the vow Whereby a virtuous Woman, of grave years And of prudential habits, undertook The sacred office of a wife to him, Of Mother to his helpless family. 1245 --Nor did she fail, in nothing did she fail, Through various exercise of twice ten years, Save in some partial fondness for that Child Which at the birth she had received, the Babe Whose heart had known no Mother but herself. 1250 --By mutual efforts; by united hopes; By daily-growing help of boy and girl, Trained early to participate that zeal Of industry, which runs before the day And lingers after it; by strong restraint 1255 Of an economy which did not check The heart's more generous motions tow'rds themselves Or to their neighbours; and by trust in God; This Pair insensibly subdued the fears And troubles that beset their life: and thus 1260 Did the good Father and his second Mate Redeem at length their plot of smiling fields. These, at this day, the eldest Son retains: The younger Offspring, through the busy world, Have all been scattered wide, by various fates; 1265 But each departed from the native Vale, In beauty flourishing, and moral worth."

VARIANTS:

[Footnote 510: 1827.

_Second Marriage of a Widower prudential and happy._ 1814. ]

[Footnote 511: 1832.

... as long as sea ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 512: 1827.

... of English Hearts, That can perceive, not less than heretofore Our Ancestors did feelingly perceive, 1814. ]

[Footnote 513: 1836.

... their minds 1814. ]

[Footnote 514: 1827.

... ambition's ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 515: 1827.

And ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 516: 1845.

Of reverence to the spirit of the place; 1814. ]

[Footnote 517: 1827.

A Visitor--intent upon the task Of prying, low and high, for herbs and flowers: 1814. ]

[Footnote 518: 1836.

... that he was crazed in brain By unrequited love; and scaled the rocks, 1814. ]

[Footnote 519: 1836.

"Believe it not--oh! never could that be!" 1814. ]

[Footnote 520: 1827.

... and pined When he had told his love, and sued in vain, 1814. ]

[Footnote 521: 1827.

... Beauty wears, _That_ he could brook, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 522: 1827.

... but the Maid was gone! She, whose dear name with unregarded sighs He long had blessed, whose Image was preserved-- Shrined in his breast with fond idolatry, Had vanished ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 523: 1845.

... as misery is mine!' 1814. ]

[Footnote 524:

... seek for truth MS. ]

[Footnote 525: 1827.

... circumspect and slow. Of rustic Parents bred, He had been trained, (So prompted their aspiring wish) to skill In numbers and the sedentary art Of penmanship,--with pride professed, and taught By his endeavours in the mountain dales. Now, those sad tidings weighing on his heart, To books, and papers, and the studious desk, He stoutly re-addressed himself--resolved To quell his pain, and enter on the path Of old pursuits with keener appetite And closer industry. Of what ensued Within his soul, ... 1814.

Within his heart ... MS. ]

[Footnote 526: 1836.

Within their souls, a fount of grace divine; 1814. ]

[Footnote 527: 1827.

... which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 528: 1832.

Will cover him; in height of strength--to earth 1814. ]

[Footnote 529: 1827.

Some farewell words; and, with those words, a prayer 1814. ]

[Footnote 530: 1827.

A Book, upon the surface of whose leaves Some chosen plants, disposed with nicest care, 1814. ]

[Footnote 531: 1827.

One whose Endeavours did at length achieve A victory less worthy of regard, Though marvellous in its kind. A Place exists 1814. ]

[Footnote 532: 1836.

In search of treasure there by Nature formed, And there concealed: but they who tried were foiled, 1814.

... to unite their pains In search of precious ore: who tried were foiled, 1827. ]

[Footnote 533: 1827.

... save he alone; Who ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 534: 1827.

... to the view Of the Old Man, and to his trembling grasp, His bright, his long-deferred, his dear reward. 1814.

... his long deferred reward. MS. ]

[Footnote 535: 1836.

Of schemes and wishes; in the day-light walked 1814. ]

[Footnote 536: 1827.

... which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 537: 1840.

... more light than He; 1814. ]

[Footnote 538: 1827.

Amid these wilds; a composition framed Of qualities so adverse--to diffuse, Where'er he moved, diversified delight; A simple answer may suffice, even this, 'Twas Nature's will; ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 539: 1827.

And the Owl's Prey; none permanently house But many harbour; from these Haunts, to which 1814. ]

[Footnote 540: 1827.

... sunk ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 541: 1832.

Not ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 542: 1827.

--Truths I record to many known, for such The not unfrequent tenor of his boast 1814. ]

[Footnote 543: 1836.

... of different kind: 1814. ]

[Footnote 544: 1836.

... with those who sleep." 1814.

... with them who sleep." 1827. ]

[Footnote 545: 1827.

... who ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 546: 1827.

... He could not pine, Whencee'er rejected howsoe'er forlorn, Through lack of converse, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 547: 1845.

Even by this ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 548: 1836.

Under ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 549: 1836.

... beneath a _borrowed_ name, 1814. ]

[Footnote 550: 1827.

Which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 551: 1836.

... these ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 552: 1845.

Such change towards ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 553: 1827.

... which should stand For public use; and also might survive 1814. ]

[Footnote 554: 1827.

... as might seem, Than suits this Place; ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 555: Italics were first used in 1827.]

[Footnote 556: 1845.

... of Prometheus chained? The Vulture-- ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 557: 1836.

... beneath ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 558: 1827.

Beyond the limits of these humble graves, Of strange disasters; ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 559: 1827.

For, though from these materials might be framed Harsh portraiture, in which a vulgar face 1814. ]

[Footnote 560: 1820.

... may at once 1814. ]

[Footnote 561: 1836.

... records ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 562: 1836.

Depository ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 563: 1836.

Than fondest Epitaphs: for, if it fail, 1814.

Than fondest epitaphs: for, if that fail, 1827. ]

[Footnote 564: 1827.

... which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 565: 1832.

That 'twas ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 566: 1836.

... will I single out ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 567: 1827.

Than the ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 568: 1827.

Or in ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 569: This line was first inserted in 1845.]

[Footnote 570: 1845.

While ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 571: 1827.

And saturnine; her port erect, her head Not absolutely raised, as if to hold 1814. ]

[Footnote 572: 1827.

... yet rather framed 1814. ]

[Footnote 573: 1832.

... as sovereign Queen Among her Play-mates; ... 1814.

... as sovereign queen 'Mid her companions; ... 1827. ]

[Footnote 574: 1827.

... else their simple sports Had wanted power to occupy a mind Held in subjection by a strong controul Of studious application, self-imposed. Books were her creditors; to them she paid, With pleasing, anxious eagerness, the hours Which they exacted; were it time allowed, Or seized upon by stealth, or fairly won, By stretch of industry, from other tasks. 1814. ]

[Footnote 575: 1827.

... them 1814. ]

[Footnote 576: 1827.

... or efface 1814. ]

[Footnote 577: 1832.

... or impaired. 1814. ]

[Footnote 578: 1836.

... unrelenting ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 579:

... the hand Grew slack in alms-giving, the heart itself MS. ]

[Footnote 580: 1827.

... Ah! there she felt, Indignantly, the weakness of her sex, The injustice of her low estate.--She mused; Resolved, adhered to her resolve; her heart Closed by degrees to charity; and, thence Expecting not Heaven's blessing, placed her trust 1814. ]

[Footnote 581: 1836.

In ceaseless pains and parsimonious care, Which got, and sternly hoarded each day's gain. 1814. ]

[Footnote 582:

Yet ... MS. ]

[Footnote 583: 1836.

... pang which it deplored. 1814. ]

[Footnote 584: 1836

Down rocky mountains--buried now and lost In silent pools, unfathomably deep;-- 1814.

... and now in eddies chained,-- 1827.

... now in strong eddies chained,-- 1832. ]

[Footnote 585: 1827.

Now in a moment starting forth again With violence, and proud of its escape;-- Until it sink once more, by slow degrees, Or instantly, into as dark repose. 1814. ]

[Footnote 586: 1845.

This was the dying ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 587: 1845

... when I am gone? "Sit by my fire--possess what I possessed-- "Tend what I tended-- 1814. ]

[Footnote 588: 1827.

... too much.--Of nobler feeling Take this example.--One autumnal evening 1814. ]

[Footnote 589: 1845.

Musing ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 590: 1845.

"And safe from all our sorrows."--She is safe, And her uncharitable acts, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 591: 1827.

The Vicar paused; and tow'rds a seat advanced, A long stone-seat, framed in the Church-yard wall; Part under shady sycamore, and part Offering a place of rest in pleasant sunshine, Even as may suit the comers old or young 1814. ]

[Footnote 592: 1836.

To this commodious resting-place he led; Where, by his side, we all sate down; 1814.

Under the shade we all sate down; ... 1827. ]

[Footnote 593: 1827.

Then, on that mold, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 594: 1832.

... or ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 595: 1845.

Yea, doubtless, on the turf ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 596: 1814.

At prayer, a weeping Magdalene. C. ]

[Footnote 597: 1827.

Upon the pathway, of her mournful tread; Nor of that pace with which she once had moved In virgin fearlessness, a step that seemed 1814. ]

[Footnote 598: 1827.

... wet ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 599: 1827.

When first the Hunter's startling horn is heard Upon the golden hills. A spreading Elm Stands in our Valley, called THE JOYFUL TREE: An Elm distinguished by that festive name, 1814. ]

[Footnote 600: 1836.

It was the season sweet, of budding leaves, Of days advancing tow'rds their utmost length, And small birds singing to their happy mates. Wild is the music of the autumnal wind Among the faded woods; but these blithe notes 1814.

Of days advancing toward ... 1832. ]

[Footnote 601: 1827.

... of summer days, And their long twilight!--friendly to that stealth With which she slipped into the Cottage-barn, And found a secret oratory there; Or, in the garden, pored upon her book 1814. ]

[Footnote 602: 1845.

... of open sky, Till the dark night ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 603: 1814.

... kindled ... C. ]

[Footnote 604: 1845.

She looked ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 605: 1827.

Far sweeter than bewildered Traveller feels Upon a perilous waste, where all night long Through darkness he hath toiled and fearful storm, 1814. ]

[Footnote 606: 1845.

... and, henceforth, I look Upon the light with cheerfulness, for thee 1814. ]

[Footnote 607: 1836.

The sweet affection.... 1814. ]

[Footnote 608: 1845.

And with contented spirit undertook 1814. ]

[Footnote 609: 1814.

... thoughts MS. ]

[Footnote 610: 1827.

... doomed to feel. In selfish blindness, for I will not say In naked and deliberate cruelty, 1814. ]

[Footnote 611: 1827.

... with her own. They argued that such meeting would disturb The Mother's mind, distract her thoughts, and thus Unfit her for her duty--in which dread, Week after week, the mandate was enforced. 1814. ]

[Footnote 612: 1836.

And whatsoe'er the errand, urged her steps: Hither she came; and here she stood, or knelt 1814.

... here stood, and sometimes knelt 1832. ]

[Footnote 613: 1827.

... raised, 1814. ]

[Footnote 614: 1845.

--The bodily frame was wasted day by day; 1814. ]

[Footnote 615: 1827.

... these ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 616: 1845.

Beneath ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 617: 1827.

... in which she dwelt. 1814. ]

[Footnote 618: 1836.

... although ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 619:

And its ... MS. ]

[Footnote 620: 1827.

There doth he lie.--In this his native Vale He owned and tilled a little plot of land; Here, with his Consort and his Children, saw Days--that were seldom crossed by petty strife, Years--safe from large misfortune; and maintained That course which minds, of insight not too keen, Might look on with entire complacency. Yet, in himself and near him, there were faults At work to undermine his happy state By sure, though tardy progress. Active, prompt, And lively was the Housewife; in the Vale None more industrious; but her industry Ill-judged, full oft, and specious, tended more To splendid neatness; to a shewy, trim, And overlaboured purity of house; Than to substantial thrift. He, on his part, Generous and easy-minded, was not free From carelessness; and thus, in lapse of time, These joint infirmities induced decay Of worldly substance; and distress of mind, That to a thoughtful Man was hard to shun, And which he could not cure. A blooming Girl Served in the house, a Favourite that had grown Beneath his eye, encouraged by his care. Poor now in tranquil pleasure he gave way To thoughts of troubled pleasure; he became A lawless Suitor to the Maid; and she Yielded unworthily.--Unhappy Man! 1814. ]

[Footnote 621: 1827.

Which, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 622: 1827

... which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 623: 1827.

... the scatterings ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 624: 1845.

... from the sight Of the Bees murmuring round their sheltered hives In that Enclosure; while the mountain rill, 1814. ]

[Footnote 625: 1827.

Flows on in solitude from year to year. --But at the closing-in of night, then most This Dwelling charms me. Covered by the gloom, Then, in my walks, I oftentimes stop short, 1814. ]

[Footnote 626: 1832.

The Wife, who rests beneath that turf, from which 1814. ]

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote HA: Note Wordsworth's love for the Established Church of England, and compare the Ecclesiastical Sonnets.--ED.]

[Footnote HB: See Wordsworth's note, p. 389.--ED.]

[Footnote HC: Was he thinking of Cranmer?--ED.]