One of the "Poems of the Fancy."—Ed.
Swiftly turn the murmuring wheel!
Night has brought the welcome hour,
When the weary fingers feel
Help, as if from faery power;
Dewy night o'ershades the ground; 5
Turn the swift wheel round and round!
Now, beneath the starry sky,
Couch[1] the widely-scattered sheep;—
Ply the pleasant labour, ply!
For the spindle, while they sleep, 10
Runs with speed more smooth and fine,
Gathering[2] up a trustier line.
Short-lived likings may be bred
By a glance from fickle eyes;
But true love is like the thread 15
Which the kindly wool supplies,
When the flocks are all at rest
Sleeping on the mountain's breast.
It was for Sarah Hutchinson that this Song was written. She lived, for the most part, either at Brinsop Court Herefordshire, or at Rydal Mount Westmoreland, or at Greta Hall Keswick. When living at Greta Hall, she acted as Southey's amanuensis. She also frequently transcribed poems for Wordsworth, at Grasmere, Coleorton, and Rydal Mount.
Compare the sonnet addressed To S. H. in the "Miscellaneous Sonnets," I. xx.—Ed.
VARIANTS:
[1] 1827.
Rest ... 1820.