The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth Volume Ii Part 29

Ed.]

"SHE DWELT AMONG THE UNTRODDEN WAYS"

Composed 1799.--Published 1800

One of the "Poems founded on the Affections." In the edition of 1800 it is ent.i.tled 'Song'.--Ed.

She dwelt among the untrodden ways Beside the springs of Dove, A Maid whom there were none to praise And very few to love: [1]

A violet by a mossy stone 5 Half hidden from the eye!

--Fair as a star, when only one Is s.h.i.+ning in the sky.

She lived [2] unknown, and few could know When Lucy ceased to be; 10 But she is in her grave, and, oh, The difference to me!

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1800.

A very few ... 1802.

The text of the edition of 1805 returns to that of 1800.]

[Variant 2: The word "lived" was italicised in the edition of 1800 only.]

"I TRAVELLED AMONG UNKNOWN MEN"

Composed 1799.-Published 1807

One of the "Poems founded on the Affections."--Ed.

I travelled among unknown men, In lands beyond the sea; Nor, England! did I know till then What love I bore to thee.

'Tis past, that melancholy dream! 5 Nor will I quit thy sh.o.r.e A second time; for still I seem To love thee more and more.

Among thy mountains did I feel The joy of my desire; [1] 10 And she I cherished turned her wheel Beside an English fire.

Thy mornings showed, thy nights concealed The bowers where Lucy played; And thine too is the last green field 15 That Lucy's eyes surveyed. [2] [A]

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

The gladness of desire; MS.]

[Variant 2:

1836.

And thine is, too, the last green field Which ... 1807.

That ... 1815.]