The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth Volume Ii Part 41

1836.

He spake of plants divine and strange That ev'ry day their blossoms change, Ten thousand lovely hues! 1800.

... every hour ... 1802.]

[Variant 8:

Of march and ambush, siege and fight, Then did he tell; and with delight The heart of Ruth would ache; Wild histories they were, and dear: But 'twas a thing of heaven to hear When of himself he spake!

Only in the editions of 1802 and 1805.

The following is the order of the stanzas in the edition of 1802.

The first, fifth, and last had not appeared before.

Sometimes most earnestly he said; "O Ruth! I have been worse than dead: False thoughts, thoughts bold and vain Encompa.s.s'd me on every side When I, in thoughtlessness and pride, Had cross'd the Atlantic Main.

Whatever in those Climes I found Irregular in sight or sound Did to my mind impart A kindred impulse, seem'd allied To my own powers, and justified The workings of my heart.

Nor less to feed unhallow'd thought The beauteous forms of nature wrought, Fair trees and lovely flowers; The breezes their own languor lent; The stars had feelings which they sent Into those magic bowers.

Yet, in my worst pursuits, I ween, That often there did intervene Pure hopes of high intent; My pa.s.sions, amid forms so fair And stately, wanted not their share Of n.o.ble sentiment.

So was it then, and so is now: For, Ruth! with thee I know not how I feel my spirit burn Even as the east when day comes forth; And to the west, and south, and north, The morning doth return.

It is a purer better mind: O Maiden innocent and kind What sights I might have seen!

Even now upon my eyes they break!"

--And he again began to speak Of Lands where he had been.

The last stanza is only in the editions of 1802-1805. [a]]

[Variant 9:

1836.

And then he said "How sweet it were 1800.]

[Variant 10:

1845.

A gardener in the shade, Still wandering with an easy mind To build ... 1800.

In suns.h.i.+ne or through shade To wander with an easy mind; And build ... 1836.]

[Variant 11:

1836.

... sweet ... 1800.]

[Variant 12:

1832.

Dear ... 1800.]

[Variant 13:

1820.

Sweet Ruth alone at midnight shed 1800.]

[Variant 14:

1800.

... unhallow'd ... 1802 and MS.

The edition of 1805 returns to the reading of 1800.]

[Variant 15:

1845.

... lovely ... 1800.]

[Variant 16:

1845.

... magic ... 1800.

... gorgeous ... 1815.]

[Variant 17:

1800.

That often ... 1802.