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[Variant 9:]

1836
Oft-times I thought to run away;
For me it was a woeful day.
Bent oftentimes to flee from home,
And hide my head where wild beasts roam.
1798


1827

Oft-times I thought to run away;
For me it was a woeful day.
Bent oftentimes to flee from home,
And hide my head where wild beasts roam.

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[Contents p.2]

[The Idiot Boy]

Composed 1798.—Published 1798.

Alfoxden, 1798. The last stanza, 'The cocks did crow to-whoo, to-whoo, and the sun did shine so cold,' was the foundation of the whole. The words were reported to me by my dear friend Thomas Poole; but I have since heard the same repeated of other idiots. Let me add, that this long poem was composed in the groves of Alfoxden, almost extempore; not a word, I believe, being corrected, though one stanza was omitted. I mention this in gratitude to those happy moments, for, in truth, I never wrote anything with so much glee.—I. F.