The impatient Merchant, wondering, waits in vain, TO CHARLES LAMB, ESQ. MY DEAR FRIEND, THOMSON.† When I sent you, a few weeks ago, the Tale of Peter Bell, you asked "why THE WAGGONER was not added?"-To say the truth,-from the higher tone of imagination, and the deeper touches of passion aimed at in the former, I apprehended, this little Piece could not accompany it without disadvantage. In the year 1806, if I am not mistaken, THE WAGGONER was read to you in manuscript; and, as you have remembered it for so long a time, I am the more encouraged to hope, that, since the localities on which it partly depends did not prevent its being interesting to you, it may prove acceptable to others. Being therefore in some measure the cause of its present appearance, you must allow me the gratification of inscribing it to you; in acknowledgment of the pleasure I have derived from your Writings, and of the high esteem with which I am Very truly yours, WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. RYDAL MOUNT, May 20th, 1819. CANTO FIRST 'TIS spent this burning day of June! Soft darkness o'er its latest gleams is stealing; *The title page of the edition of 1819 runs as follows: The Waggoner, A Poem. To which are added, Sonnets. By William Wordsworth. "What's in a NAME?" ແ Brutus will start a Spirit London, etc. etc., 1819.-ED. as soon as Cæsar!" † See The Seasons (Summer), ll. 977-79.-ED. That solitary bird Is all that can be heard 1 In silence deeper far than that of deepest noon! Confiding Glow-worms, 'tis a night 1 1819. The Night-hawk is singing his frog-like tune, The dor-hawk, solitary bird, 1805. MS. Round the dim crags on heavy pinions wheeling, That constant voice is all that can be heard * 1820. on heavy pinions wheeling, With untired voice sings an unvaried tune; Those burring notes are all that can be heard 1836. The text of 1845 returns to the first version of 1819. 5 ΙΟ And shine in quietness secure, On the mossy bank by the cottage door, As safe as on the loneliest moor. In the play, or on the hill, Everything is hushed and still ; The clouds show here and there a spot Of a star that twinkles not, The air as in From a MS. copy of the poem in Henry Crabb Robinson's Diary, etc. Now that the children's busiest schemes Do all lie buried in blank sleep, Or only live in stirring dreams, The glow-worms fearless watch may keep; * See Wordsworth's note, p. 109.-ED. 1812. The mountains against heaven's grave weight The air, as in a lion's den, Is close and hot ;-and now and then And the silence makes it sweet. Hush, there is some one on the stir! They shine, a quiet company, 1836. In the editions of 1819 to 1832, these two lines follow the line "Like the stifling of disease." 30 35 Along the banks of Rydal Mere Yet all the while his whip is dumb! The Horses have worked with right good-will, And so 2 have gained the top of the hill; And now they smoothly glide along, Heaven shield him from mishap and snare ! 39 45 Is it for threatenings in the sky ? Or for some other danger nigh? No; none is near him yet, though he 50 Be one of much infirmity; 4 For at the bottom of the brow, Where once the DOVE and OLIVE-BOUGH Offered a greeting of good ale To all who entered Grasmere Vale; And called on him who must depart To leave it with a jovial heart; There, where the DOVE and OLIVE-BOUGH A simple water-drinking Bard ; Why need our Hero then (though frail It seems that all looks wondrous cold; He shrugs his shoulders, shakes his head, Here is no danger,—none at all! Which with such friendly voice will call; If he resist those casement panes, And that bright gleam which thence will fall Upon his Leaders' bells and manes, Inviting him with cheerful lure: For still, though all be dark elsewhere, Of open house and ready fare. 55 60 65 70 75 80 The place to Benjamin right well 2 Is known, and by as strong a spell As used to be that sign of love 85 |