The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth Volume Iii Part 17

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1: In the editions of 1807 to 1820 the following lines began the poem. They were withdrawn in 1827.

Lie here sequester'd:--be this little mound For ever thine, and be it holy ground!]

[Variant 2:

1827.

Beneath the ... 1807.]

[Variant 3:

But ... MS.]

[Variant 4:

1837.

I pray'd for thee, and that thy end were past; 1807.

I grieved for thee, and wished thy end were past; 1820.]

[Variant 5:

1837.

For love, that comes to all; the holy sense, Best gift of G.o.d, in thee was most intense; 1807.]

[Variant 6:

1837.

The soul ... 1807.]

TO THE DAISY (#4)

Composed 1805.--Published 1815

Placed by Wordsworth among his "Epitaphs and Elegiac Pieces."--Ed.

Sweet Flower! belike one day to have A place upon thy Poet's grave, I welcome thee once more: But He, who was on land, at sea, My Brother, too, in loving thee, 5 Although he loved more silently, Sleeps by his native sh.o.r.e.

Ah! hopeful, hopeful was the day When to that s.h.i.+p he bent his way, To govern and to guide: 10 His wish was gained: a little time Would bring him back in manhood's prime And free for life, these hills to climb; With all his wants supplied.

And full of hope day followed day 15 While that stout s.h.i.+p at anchor lay Beside the sh.o.r.es of Wight; The May had then made all things green; And, floating there, in pomp serene, That s.h.i.+p was goodly to be seen, 20 His pride and his delight!

Yet then, when called ash.o.r.e, he sought The tender peace of rural thought: In more than happy mood To your abodes, bright daisy Flowers! 25 He then would steal at leisure hours, And loved you glittering in your bowers, A starry mult.i.tude.

But hark the word!--the s.h.i.+p is gone;-- Returns from her long course: [1]--anon 30 Sets sail:--in season due, Once more on English earth they stand: But, when a third time from the land They parted, sorrow was at hand For Him and for his crew. 35

Ill-fated Vessel!--ghastly shock!

--At length delivered from the rock, The deep she hath regained; And through the stormy night they steer; Labouring for life, in hope and fear, 40 To reach a safer sh.o.r.e [2]--how near, Yet not to be attained!

"Silence!" the brave Commander cried; To that calm word a shriek replied, It was the last death-shriek. 45 --A few (my soul oft sees that sight) Survive upon the tall mast's height; [3]

But one dear remnant of the night-- For Him in vain I seek.

Six weeks beneath the moving sea 50 He lay in slumber quietly; Unforced by wind or wave To quit the s.h.i.+p for which he died, (All claims of duty satisfied;) And there they found him at her side; 55 And bore him to the grave.

Vain service! yet not vainly done For this, if other end were none, That He, who had been cast Upon a way of life unmeet 60 For such a gentle Soul and sweet, Should find an undisturbed retreat Near what he loved, at last--

That neighbourhood of grove and field To Him a resting-place should yield, 65 A meek man and a brave!

The birds shall sing and ocean make A mournful murmur for _his_ sake; And Thou, sweet Flower, shalt sleep and wake Upon his senseless grave. [4] 70

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1837.

From her long course returns:--... 1815.]