[Composed at the same time and on the same view as "I met Louisa in the shade:" indeed they were designed to make one piece.—I. F.]
From 1815 to 1832 this was classed among the "Poems proceeding from Sentiment and Reflection." In 1836 it was transferred to the group of "Poems of the Imagination."—Ed.
The Poem
| text | variant | footnote | line number |
| Dear Child of Nature, let them rail! —There is a nest in a green dale, A harbour and a hold; Where thou, a Wife and Friend, shalt see Thy own heart-stirring days, and be A light to young and old. There, healthy as a shepherd boy, And treading among flowers of joy Which at no season fade, Thou, while thy babes around thee cling, Shalt show us how divine a thing A Woman may be made. Thy thoughts and feelings shall not die, Nor leave thee, when grey hairs are nigh A melancholy slave; But an old age serene and bright, And lovely as a Lapland night, Shall lead thee to thy grave. [Note] [Contents 1802] [Main Contents] | [1] [2] [3] | 5 10 15 |
| 1836 | |
| Thy own delightful days, ... | 1802 |