A violet by a mossy stone She lived unknown, and few could know [Composed 1799.-Published 1800.] I travelled among unknown men, 'Tis past, that melancholy dream! Among thy mountains did I feel And she I cherished turned her wheel Beside an English fire. Thy mornings showed, thy nights concealed, And thine too is the last green field [Composed 1799.-Published 1800.] Three years she grew in sun and shower, On earth was never sown; "Myself will to my darling be In earth and heaven, in glade and bower, To kindle or restrain. "She shall be sportive as the fawn And hers shall be the breathing balm, "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; The memory of what has been, And never more will be. [Composed 1799.-Published 1800.] A slumber did my spirit seal; She seemed a thing that could not feel No motion has she now, no force; Rolled round in earth's diurnal course, A POET'S EPITAPH [Composed 1799.-Published 1800.] Art thou a Statist in the van Of public conflicts trained and bred? -First learn to love one living man; Then may'st thou think upon the dead. A Lawyer art thou?-draw not nigh! Art thou a Man of purple cheer? A rosy Man, right plump to see? Or art thou one of gallant pride, Physician art thou?-one, all eyes, Wrapt closely in thy sensual fleece, Thy ever-dwindling soul, away! A Moralist perchance appears; Led, Heaven knows how! to this poor sod: And he has neither eyes nor ears; Himself his world, and his own God; One to whose smooth-rubbed soul can cling Shut close the door; press down the latch; But who is He, with modest looks, He is retired as noontide dew, Or fountain in a noon-day grove; And you must love him, ere to you He will seem worthy of your love. The outward shows of sky and earth, Have come to him in solitude. In common things that round us lie The harvest of a quiet eye That broods and sleeps on his own heart. But he is weak; both Man and Boy, The things which others understand. -Come hither in thy hour of strength; MATTHEW [Composed 1799.-Published 1800.] In the School of is a tablet, on which are inscribed, in gilt letters, the Names of the several persons who have been Schoolmasters there since the foundation of the School, with the time at which they entered upon and quitted their office. Opposite to one of those Names the Author wrote the following lines: If Nature, for a favourite child, In thee hath tempered so her clay, Read o'er these lines; and then review Its history of two hundred years. -When through this little wreck of fame, And if a sleeping tear should wake, Then be it neither checked nor stayed: For Matthew a request I make Which for himself he had not made. |