The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth Volume I Part 14

[Variant 67:

1836.

I love beside the glowing lake to stray, 1793.

How pleasant near the tranquil lake to stray, 1815.]

[Variant 68:

1836.

... to stray, Where winds the road along the secret bay; By rills that tumble down the woody steeps, And run in transport to the dimpling deeps; Along the "wild meand'ring sh.o.r.e" to view, Obsequious Grace the winding swan pursue. 1793.

... a secret bay; 1813.

... meandering sh.o.r.e" ... 1815.]

[Variant 69:

1836.

He swells his lifted chest, and backward flings His bridling neck between his tow'ring wings; Stately, and burning in his pride, divides And glorying looks around, the silent tides: On as he floats, the silver'd waters glow, Proud of the varying arch and moveless form of snow. 1793.

... his towering wings; In all the majesty of ease divides, 1815.]

[Variant 70:

1845.

... her beauty's pride Forgets, unweary'd watching every side, She calls them near, and with affection sweet Alternately relieves their weary feet; 1793.]

[Variant 71:

1836.

Long may ye roam these hermit waves that sleep, In birch-besprinkl'd cliffs embosom'd deep; These fairy holms untrodden, still, and green, Whose shades protect the hidden wave serene; Whence fragrance scents the water's desart gale, The violet, and the [iii] lily of the vale; 1793.

Long may ye float upon these floods serene; Yours be these holms untrodden, still, and green, Whose leafy shades fence off the bl.u.s.tering gale, Where breathes in peace the lily of the vale. 1827.]

[Variant 72:

1820.

Where, tho' her far-off twilight ditty steal, They not the trip of harmless milkmaid feel. 1793.]

[Variant 73:

1836.

Yon tuft conceals your home, your cottage bow'r.

Fresh water rushes strew the verdant floor; 1793.

Yon isle conceals ... 1820.]

[Variant 74:

1836.

Thence issuing oft, unwieldly as ye stalk, Ye crush with broad black feet your flow'ry walk; 1793.

Thence issuing often with unwieldly stalk, With broad black feet ye crush your flow'ry walk; 1820.]

[Variant 75:

1820.

Safe from your door ye hear at breezy morn, 1793.]

[Variant 76:

1836.

... and mellow horn; At peace inverted your lithe necks ye lave, With the green bottom strewing o'er the wave; No ruder sound your desart haunts invades, Than waters das.h.i.+ng wild, or rocking shades.

Ye ne'er, like hapless human wanderers, throw Your young on winter's winding sheet of snow. 1793.

... and mellow horn; Involve your serpent necks in changeful rings, Rolled wantonly between your slippery wings, Or, starting up with noise and rude delight, Force half upon the wave your c.u.mbrous flight. 1820.]

[Variant 77:

1836.

Fair Swan! by all a mother's joys caress'd, Haply some wretch has ey'd, and call'd thee bless'd; Who faint, and beat by summer's breathless ray, Hath dragg'd her babes along this weary way; While arrowy fire extorting feverish groans Shot stinging through her stark o'er labour'd bones.

--With backward gaze, lock'd joints, and step of pain, Her seat scarce left, she strives, alas! in vain, To teach their limbs along the burning road A few short steps to totter with their load, Shakes her numb arm that slumbers with its weight, And eyes through tears the mountain's shadeless height; And bids her soldier come her woes to share, Asleep on Bunker's [iv] charnel hill afar; For hope's deserted well why wistful look?

Chok'd is the pathway, and the pitcher broke. 1793.

In 1793 this pa.s.sage occupied the place of the six lines of the final text (250-255).