VIII. [WRITTEN at Town-end, Grasmere. The germ of this poem was four lines composed as a part of the verses on the Highland Girl. Though beginning in this way, it was written from my heart, as is sufficiently obvious.] SHE was a Phantom of delight To be a moment's ornament; Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair; I saw her upon nearer view, A countenance in which did meet A Being breathing thoughtful breath, 1804. IX. [WRITTEN at Town-end, Grasmere. (Mrs. W. says in a note— "AT COLEORTON.")] O NIGHTINGALE! thou surely art A creature of a 'fiery heart':- These notes of thine-they pierce and pierce; Thou sing'st as if the God of wine I heard a Stock-dove sing or say He sang of love, with quiet blending, Slow to begin, and never ending; THREE X. [COMPOSED in the Hartz Forest.] years she grew in sun and shower, Then Nature said, "A lovelier flower On earth was never sown; This Child I to myself will take; She shall be mine, and I will make Myself will to my darling be Both law and impulse: and with me The Girl, in rock and plain, In earth and heaven, in glade and bower, To kindle or restrain. She shall be sportive as the fawn And her's shall be the breathing balm, 1806. The floating clouds their state shall lend Nor shall she fail to see Even in the motions of the Storm Grace that shall mould the Maiden's form By silent sympathy. The stars of midnight shall be dear To her; and she shall lean her ear In many a secret place Where rivulets dance their wayward round, And beauty born of murmuring sound Shall pass into her face. And vital feelings of delight Shall rear her form to stately height, Her virgin bosom swell; Such thoughts to Lucy I will give While she and I together live Here in this happy dell." Thus Nature spake-The work was done How soon my Lucy's race was run! She died, and left to me This heath, this calm, and quiet scene; And never more will be. 1799. XI. [WRITTEN in Germany.] A SLUMBER did my spirit seal; She seemed a thing that could not feel No motion has she now, no force; She neither hears nor sees; Rolled round in earth's diurnal course, With rocks, and stones, and trees. 1799. XII. [WRITTEN at Town-end, Grasmere. The Daffodils grew and still grow on the margin of Ullswater, and probably may be seen to this day as beautiful in the month of March, nodding their golden heads beside the dancing and foaming waves.] I WANDERED lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, Beside the lake, beneath the trees, |