Much pains and little progress, and at once
Some lovely Image in the song rose up
Full-formed like Venus rising from the sea.
W. Wordsworth (Prelude, Bk. IV).
The “Prelude” is extremely interesting as a poet’s autobiography.
LONG EXPECTED
O many and many a day before we met,
I knew some spirit walked the world alone,
Awaiting the Belovèd from afar;