[Variant 8:]

Stanzas XXIV. and XXV. were omitted from the editions of 1802 and 1805. They were restored in 1820.

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[Variant 9:]

1842
Can I forget what charms did once adorn
My garden, stored with pease, and mint, and thyme,
And rose and lilly for the sabbath morn?
The sabbath bells, and their delightful chime;
The gambols and wild freaks at shearing time;
My hen's rich nest through long grass scarce espied;
The cowslip-gathering at May's dewy prime;
The swans, that, when I sought the water-side,
From far to meet me came, spreading their snowy pride.

Can I forget our croft and plot of corn;
Our garden, stored ...

The cowslip-gathering in June's dewy prime;

The swans, that with white chests upheaved in pride,
Rushing and racing came to meet me at the waterside.








1798


1836

1820


1836

Can I forget what charms did once adorn
My garden, stored with pease, and mint, and thyme,
And rose and lilly for the sabbath morn?
The sabbath bells, and their delightful chime;
The gambols and wild freaks at shearing time;
My hen's rich nest through long grass scarce espied;
The cowslip-gathering at May's dewy prime;
The swans, that, when I sought the water-side,
From far to meet me came, spreading their snowy pride.
Can I forget our croft and plot of corn;
Our garden, stored ...
The cowslip-gathering in June's dewy prime;
The swans, that with white chests upheaved in pride,
Rushing and racing came to meet me at the waterside.

[return]

[Variant 10:]

1842
... yet ... 1798

... yet ...