2 THOSE Words were uttered as in pensive mood 1 CLOUDS, lingering yet, extend in solid bars5 Through the grey west; and lo! these waters, steeled Mine eyes, yet lingering on that solemn sight: 1815. 3 1827. It is unstable, and deserts me quite ; 1807. 4 1827. The Grove, the sky-built Temple, and the Dome, 1807. 5 1832. Eve's lingering clouds extend in solid bars. 1819. By breezeless air to smoothest polish, yield Jove, Venus, and the ruddy crest of Mars At happy distance from earth's groaning field, Opening to view the abyss in which she feeds Ravage the world, tranquillity is here!" Notwithstanding the date given by Wordsworth to this sonnet, it must be assigned to the previous year, for the reason stated in the prefatory note to the poems belonging to 1806 (see p. 1). It was first published along with The Waggoner in 1819.—ED. WITH how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the sky, How silently, and with how wan a face!* Had I The power of Merlin, Goddess! this should be: And all the stars, fast as the clouds were riven,1 Hurrying and sparkling through the clear blue heaven; 3 Queen both for beauty and for majesty. The sonnet of Sir Philip Sidney's, from which the two first lines of this one are taken, is No. XXXI. of his Astrophel and Stella.-Ed. 1 THE world is too much with us: late and soon, We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! 1836. 2 1807. 1807. And all the Stars, now shrouded up in heaven, Should sally forth, an emulous company, 1827-1832. 1836 returns to text of 1807. 3 1842. What strife would then be yours, fair Creatures, driven in emulous company, Sparkling and hurrying through the clear blue Heaven. 1807. 1827. 1832. 1836. C. C. C. It moves us not.-Great God! I'd rather be So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn. It may The "pleasant lea" referred to in this sonnet is unknown. have been on the Cumbrian coast, or in the Isle of Man. 1805, Wordsworth had lived for four weeks in the Isle of Man, in daily sight of Peele Castle.-ED. WITH Ships the sea was sprinkled far and nigh, Some veering up and down, one knew not why. Come like a giant from a haven broad; Her tackling rich, and of apparel high. This Ship was nought to me, nor I to her, Yet I pursued her with a Lover's look; This Ship to all the rest did I prefer: When will she turn, and whither ? She will brook No tarrying where She comes the winds must stir: On went She, and due north her journey took. Probably observed during the visit to the Isle of Man, referred to in the note to the previous sonnet.--ED. 1 1827. Have sight of Proteus coming from the sea. 1807. WHERE lies the Land to which yon Ship must go? What boots the inquiry ?-Neither friend nor foe Yet still I ask, what haven is her mark? Is with me at thy farewell, joyous Bark! See note to the previous sonnet.-ED. 1 Thou dost love O GENTLE SLEEP! do they belong to thee, Now on the water vexed with mockery. 1836. Festively she puts forth in trim array; As vigorous as a lark 1807. 1815. |