The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth Volume Ii Part 64

III "'Eight weary weeks, through rock and clay, Along this mountain's edge, The Frost hath wrought both night and day, Wedge driving after wedge.

Look up! and think, above your head 25 What trouble, surely, will be bred; Last night I heard a crash--'tis true, The splinters took another road-- I see them yonder--what a load For such a Thing as you! 30

IV "'You are preparing as before To deck your slender shape; And yet, just three years back--no more-- You had a strange escape: Down from yon cliff a fragment broke; 35 It thundered down, with fire and smoke, And hitherward pursued its way; [3]

This ponderous block was caught by me, And o'er your head, as you may see, 'Tis hanging to this day! 40

V "'If breeze or bird to this rough steep Your kind's first seed did bear; The breeze had better been asleep, The bird caught in a snare: [4]

For you and your green twigs decoy 45 The little witless shepherd-boy To come and slumber in your bower; And, trust me, on some sultry noon, Both you and he, Heaven knows how soon!

Will perish in one hour. 50

VI "'From me this friendly warning take'-- The Broom began to doze, And thus, to keep herself awake, Did gently interpose: 'My thanks for your discourse are due; 55 That more than what you say is true, [5]

I know, and I have known it long; Frail is the bond by which we hold Our being, whether young or old, [6]

Wise, foolish, weak, or strong. 60

VII "'Disasters, do the best we can, Will reach both great and small; And he is oft the wisest man, Who is not wise at all.

For me, why should I wish to roam? 65 This spot is my paternal home, It is my pleasant heritage; My father many a happy year, Spread here [7] his careless blossoms, here Attained a good old age. 70

VIII "'Even such as his may be my lot.

What cause have I to haunt My heart with terrors? Am I not In truth a favoured plant!

On me such bounty Summer pours, 75 That I am covered o'er with flowers; [8]

And, when the Frost is in the sky, My branches are so fresh and gay That you might look at me [9] and say, This Plant can never die. 80

IX "'The b.u.t.terfly, all green and gold, To me hath often flown, Here in my blossoms to behold Wings lovely as his own.

When gra.s.s is chill with rain or dew, 85 Beneath my shade, the mother-ewe Lies with her infant lamb; I see The love they to each other make, And the sweet joy which they partake, It is a joy to me.' 90

X "Her voice was blithe, her heart was light; The Broom might have pursued Her speech, until the stars of night Their journey had renewed; But in the branches of the oak 95 Two ravens now began to croak Their nuptial song, a gladsome air; And to her own green bower the breeze That instant brought two stripling bees To rest, or [10] murmur there. 100

XI "One night, my Children! from the north There came a furious blast; [11]

At break of day I ventured forth, And near the cliff I pa.s.sed.

The storm had fallen upon the Oak, 105 And struck him with a mighty stroke, And whirled, and whirled him far away; And, in one hospitable cleft, The little careless Broom was left To live for many a day." 110

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1820.

... thundering, ... 1800.]

[Variant 2:

1815.

... half giant and half sage, 1800.]

[Variant 3:

1820.

It came, you know, with fire and smoke And hither did it bend its way. 1800.

And hitherward it bent its way. 1802.]

[Variant 4:

1836.

The Thing had better been asleep, Whatever thing it were, Or Breeze, or Bird, or fleece of Sheep, That first did plant you there. 1800.

Or Breeze, or Bird, or Dog, or Sheep, 1802.]

[Variant 5:

1820.

That it is true, and more than true, 1800.]

[Variant 6:

1827.

... be we young or old, 1800.]

[Variant 7:

1836.

Here spread ... 1800.]

[Variant 8:

1815.

The Spring for me a garland weaves Of yellow flowers and verdant leaves, 1800.]

[Variant 9: