Pleased, as she moves, her pomp of clouds to fold Above yon eastern hill, where darkness broods Far to the western slopes with hamlets white; Thus Hope, first pouring from her blessed horn Even now she decks for me a distant scene, (Sole bourn, sole wish, sole object of my way; Time softly treads; throughout the landscape breathes The song of mountain-streams, unheard by day, To catch the spiritual music of the hill, 1787, 8, & 9. IV. LINES WRITTEN WHILE SAILING IN A BOAT AT EVENING. [THIS title is scarcely correct. It was during a solitary walk on the banks of the Cam that I was first struck with this appearance, and applied it to my own feelings in the manner here expressed, changing the scene to the Thames, near Windsor. This, and the three stanzas of the following poem, "Remembrance of Collins," formed one piece; but, upon the recommendation of Coleridge, the three last stanzas were separated from the other.] How richly glows the water's breast Such views the youthful Bard allure; 18 V. REMEMBRANCE OF COLLINS, COMPOSED UPON THE THAMES NEAR RICHMOND. GLIDE gently, thus for ever glide, Vain thought!-Yet be as now thou art, How bright, how solemn, how serene! Now let us, as we float along, pray May know that Poet's sorrows more. 1789. * Collins's Ode on the death of Thomson, the last written, I believe, of the poems which were published during his life-timo. This Ode is also alluded to in the next stanza. VI. DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES TAKEN DURING A PEDESTRIAN TOUR AMONG THE ALPS. [Much the greatest part of this poem was composed during my walks upon the banks of the Loire in the years 1791, 1792. I will only notice that the description of the valley filled with mist, beginning-"In solemn shapes," was taken from that beautiful region of which the principal features are Lungarn and Sarnen. Nothing that I ever saw in nature left a more delightful impression on my mind than that which I have attempted, alas! how feebly, to convey to others in these lines. Those two lakes have always interested me especially, from bearing, in their size and other features, a resemblance to those of the North of England. It is much to be deplored that a district so beautiful should be so unhealthy as it is.] DEAR SIR, TO THE REV. ROBERT JONES, FELLOW OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. However desirous I might have been of giving you proofs of the high place you hold in my esteem, I should have been cautious of wounding your delicacy by thus publicly addressing you, had not the circumstance of our having been companions among the Alps, seemed to give this dedication a propriety sufficient to do away any scruples which your modesty might otherwise have suggested. In inscribing this little work to you, I consult my heart. You know well how great is the difference between two companions lolling in a post-chaise, and two travellers plodding slowly along the road, side by side, each with his little knapsack of necessaries upon his shoulders. How much more of heart between the two latter! I am happy in being conscious that I shall have one reader |