Composed 1804. THE SMALL CELANdine. Published 1807. THERE is a Flower, the lesser Celandine, That shrinks, like many more, from cold and rain ; When hailstones have been falling, swarm on swarm, In close self-shelter, like a Thing at rest. But lately, one rough day, this Flower I passed I stopped, and said with inly-muttered voice, But its necessity in being old. The sunshine may not cheer it, nor the dew; Stiff in its members, withered, changed of hue." To be a Prodigal's Favourite-then, worse truth, O Man, that from thy fair and shining youth 1805. ODE TO DUTY. 'Jam non consilio bonus, sed more eò perductus, ut non tantum rectè facere possim, sed nisi rectè facere non possim.' Composed 1805. STERN Daughter of the Voice of God! O Duty! if that name thou love When empty terrors overawe; From vain temptations dost set free; Published 1807. And calm'st the weary strife of frail humanity! There are who ask not if thine eye Be on them; who, in love and truth, Upon the genial sense of youth: Glad Hearts! without reproach or blot ; Who do thy work, and know it not : May joy be theirs while life shall last! And Thou, if they should totter, teach them to stand fast! Serene will be our days and bright, And happy will our nature be, When love is an unerring light, And they a blissful course may hold Even now, who, not unwisely bold, Live in the spirit of this creed ; Yet find that other strength, according to their need. I, loving freedom, and untried ; And oft, when in my heart was heard The task, in smoother walks to stray; But thee I now would serve more strictly, if I may. Through no disturbance of my soul, I feel the weight of chance-desires : My hopes no more must change their name, I long for a repose that ever is the same. Stern Lawgiver! yet thou dost wear Flowers laugh before thee on their beds To humbler functions, awful Power! I call thee: I myself commend The confidence of reason give; And in the light of truth thy Bondman let me live! TO A SKY-LARK. Composed 1805. Published 1807. UP with me! up with me into the clouds ! For thy song, Lark, is strong; With all the heavens about thee ringing, That spot which seems so to thy mind! I have walked through wildernesses dreary Had I now the wings of a Faery, Up to thee would I fly. There is madness about thee, and joy divine Lift me, guide me high and high To thy banqueting-place in the sky. Joyous as morning, Thou art laughing and scorning; Thou hast a nest for thy love and thy rest, To be such a traveller as I. Happy, happy Liver, With a soul as strong as a mountain river Alas! my journey, rugged and uneven, As full of gladness and as free of heaven, I, with my fate contented, will plod on, And hope for higher raptures, when life's day is done. Composed 1805. FIDELITY. Published 1807. A BARKING Sound the Shepherd hears, He halts and searches with his eyes And now at distance can discern The Dog is not of mountain breed ; With something, as the Shepherd thinks, Nor is there any one in sight All round, in hollow or on height; Nor shout, nor whistle strikes his ear; It was a cove, a huge recess, That keeps, till June, December's snow; A silent tarn below! Far in the bosom of Helvellyn, Remote from public road or dwelling, Pathway, or cultivated land; From trace of human foot or hand. There sometimes doth a leaping fish Thither the rainbow comes-the cloud- |