WRITTEN UPON A BLANK LEAF IN "THE COMPLETE ANGLER"
Composed 1819.—Published 1819
One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."—Ed.
While flowing rivers yield a blameless sport,
Shall live the name of Walton: Sage benign!
Whose pen, the mysteries of the rod and line
Unfolding, did not fruitlessly exhort
To reverend watching of each still report
That Nature utters from her rural shrine.
Meek, nobly versed in simple discipline—
He found the longest summer day too short,
To his[369] loved pastime given by sedgy Lee,
Or down the tempting maze of Shawford brook—
Fairer than life itself, in this[370] sweet Book,
The cowslip-bank[371] and shady willow-tree;
And the fresh meads—where flowed, from every nook
Of his[372] full bosom, gladsome Piety!
VARIANTS:
[369] 1827.
O nobly versed in simple discipline,
Meek, thankful soul, the vernal day how short
To thy . . .
O, nobly versed in simple discipline—
Who found'st the longest summer day too short,
To thy . . .
1845 returns to 1827.
[370] 1827.
1819.
. . . thy . . .
[371] 1819.
1837.
Are cowslip-bank . . .
1845 returns to 1819.
[372] 1827.
1819.
Of thy . . .
1837 returns to 1819.
1845 returns to 1827.
CAPTIVITY—MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS[373]
Composed 1819.—Published 1819
One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."—Ed.
"As the cold aspect of a sunless way
Strikes through the Traveller's frame with deadlier chill,
Oft as appears a grove, or obvious hill,
Glistening with unparticipated ray,
Or shining slope where he must never stray;
So joys, remembered without wish or will,
Sharpen the keenest edge of present ill,—
On the crushed heart a heavier burthen lay.
Just Heaven, contract the compass of my mind
To fit proportion with my altered state!
Quench those felicities whose light I find
Reflected in[374] my bosom all too late!—
O be my spirit, like my thraldom, strait;
And, like mine eyes that stream with sorrow, blind!"
Compare the Lament of Mary Queen of Scots, p. 162.
Why this sonnet was printed, from 1819 (in which year it appeared in The Waggoner, a Poem, to which are added Sonnets,) to the last edition of 1849, within inverted commas, I have never been able to discover.—Ed.
VARIANTS:
[373] 1837.
1819.
Captivity.
[374] 1827.
1819.
Burning within . . .
TO A SNOW-DROP[375]
Composed 1819.—Published 1819
One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."—Ed.
Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they
But hardier far, once more I see thee bend
Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,
Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day,[376]
Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, way-lay
The rising sun, and on the plains descend;
Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend[377]
Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May
Shall soon behold this border thickly set
With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing
On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers;
Nor will I then thy modest grace forget,[378]
Chaste Snow-drop, venturous harbinger of Spring,
And pensive monitor of fleeting years!
VARIANTS:
[375] 1827.
1819.
To a snow-drop, appearing very early in the season.
[376] 1827.
But hardier far, though modestly thou bend
Thy front—as if such presence could offend!
Who guards thy slender stalk while, day by day,
[377] 1827.
1819.
Accept the greeting that befits a friend
[378] 1827.
1819.
Yet will I not thy gentle grace forget,