The Poem
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| Behold, within the leafy shade, Those bright blue eggs together laid! On me the chance-discovered sight Gleamed like a vision of delight. I started—seeming to espy The home and sheltered bed, The Sparrow's dwelling, which, hard by My Father's house, in wet or dry My sister Emmeline and I Together visited. She looked at it and seemed to fear it; Dreading, tho' wishing, to be near it: Such heart was in her, being then A little Prattler among men. The Blessing of my later years Was with me when a boy: She gave me eyes, she gave me ears; And humble cares, and delicate fears; A heart, the fountain of sweet tears; And love, and thought, and joy. [Note] [Contents 1801] [Main Contents] | [1] [2] | 5 10 15 20 |
| 1815 | |
| Look, five blue eggs are gleaming there! Few visions have I seen more fair, Nor many prospects of delight More pleasing than that simple sight! | 1807 |
Look, five blue eggs are gleaming there!
Few visions have I seen more fair,
Nor many prospects of delight
More pleasing than that simple sight!
| 1845 | |
| She look'd at it as if she fear'd it; Still wishing, dreading to be near it: | 1807 |
She look'd at it as if she fear'd it;
Still wishing, dreading to be near it:
So it stands in the Fenwick note; but it should evidently read, "The following stanzas allude."—Ed.
Note:
Wordsworth's "sister Emmeline" was his only sister, Dorothy; and in the MS. sent originally to the printer the line was "My sister Dorothy and I." This poem is referred to in a subsequent one, A Farewell, l. 56. [See] page 326 of this volume.—Ed.
[Contents 1801]
[Main Contents]