GORDALE
Composed 1819.—Published 1819
One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."—Ed.
At early dawn, or rather when the air[351]
Glimmers with fading light, and shadowy Eve
Is busiest to confer and to bereave;
Then, pensive Votary! let thy feet repair[352]
To Gordale-chasm, terrific as the lair
Where the young lions couch; for so,[353] by leave
Of the propitious hour, thou may'st perceive
The local Deity, with oozy hair
And mineral crown, beside his jagged urn,
Recumbent: Him thou may'st behold, who hides
His lineaments by day,[354] yet[355] there presides,
Teaching the docile waters how to turn,
Or (if need be) impediment to spurn,
And force their passage to[356] the salt-sea tides!
There are many legendary stories connected with the Yorkshire caves, particularly in the Giggleswick district; but I have been unable to trace any legend about the "local Deity" of Gordale. There is nothing in the letterpress of Westall's views, or in the "addenda" to West's Guide to the Lakes in Cumberland, about these legends. The chasm is a very remarkable cleft in the limestone rock, near Malham. Gray's description of Gordale, in his Journal (1796), may be referred to.—Ed.
VARIANTS:
[351] 1819.
. . . or when the warmer air,
Blackwood's Magazine, January 1819.
[352] 1819.
At either moment let thy feet repair
Blackwood's Magazine, January 1819.
[353] 1819.
. . . for then . . .
Blackwood's Magazine, January 1819.
[354] 1819.
. . . from day, . . .
Blackwood's Magazine, January 1819.
[355] 1827.
1819.
. . . and . . .
[356] 1819.
. . . toward . . .
Blackwood's Magazine, January 1819.
COMPOSED DURING A STORM[357]
Composed 1819.—Published 1819
[Written in Rydal Woods, by the side of a torrent.—I. F.]
One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."—Ed.
One who was suffering tumult in his soul
Yet failed to seek the sure relief of prayer,
Went forth—his course surrendering to the care
Of the fierce wind, while mid-day lightnings prowl
Insidiously, untimely thunders growl;
While trees, dim-seen, in frenzied numbers, tear
The lingering remnant of their yellow hair,
And shivering wolves, surprised with darkness, howl
As if the sun were not. He raised his eye
Soul-smitten; for, that instant, did appear[358]
Large space ('mid dreadful clouds) of purest sky,
An azure disc[359]—shield of Tranquillity;
Invisible, unlooked-for, minister
Of providential goodness ever nigh!
VARIANTS:
[357] 1827.
Composed during one of the most awful of
the late storms, February 1819
Composed during a severe storm.
[358] 1827.
As if the sun were not;—he lifted high
His head—and in a moment did appear
[359] 1840.
1819.
. . . orb . . .