From 1815 to 1843, both poems were placed by Wordsworth among those "of Sentiment and Reflection." In 1845 they were transferred to "Poems written in Youth."--Ed. * * * * * THE POEM How richly glows the water's breast Before us, tinged with evening hues, [1] While, facing thus the crimson west, The boat her silent course [2] pursues! And see how dark the backward stream! 5 A little moment past so smiling! And still, perhaps, with faithless gleam, Some other loiterers [3] beguiling. Such views the youthful Bard allure; But, heedless of the following gloom, 10 He deems their colours shall endure Till peace go with him to the tomb. --And let him nurse his fond deceit, And what if he must die in sorrow! Who would not cherish dreams so sweet, 15 Though grief and pain may come to-morrow? * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1815. How rich the wave, in front, imprest With evening-twilight's summer hues, 1798.] [Variant 2: 1802. ... path ... 1798.] [Variant 3: 1815. ... loiterer ... 1798.] * * * * * REMEMBRANCE OF COLLINS COMPOSED UPON THE THAMES NEAR RICHMOND [A] Composed 1789.--Published 1798 * * * * * Glide gently, thus for ever glide,[B] O Thames! that other bards may see As lovely visions by thy side As now, fair river! come to me. O glide, fair stream! for ever so, 5 Thy quiet soul on all bestowing, Till all our minds for ever flow As thy deep waters now are flowing. Vain thought!--Yet be as now thou art, That in thy waters may be seen 10 The image of a poet's heart, How bright, how solemn, how serene! Such as did once the Poet bless, [1] Who murmuring here a later [C] ditty, [2] Could find no refuge from distress 15 But in the milder grief of pity. Now let us, as we float along, [3] For _him_ [4] suspend the dashing oar; [D] And pray that never child of song May know that Poet's sorrows more. [5] 20 How calm! how still! the only sound, The dripping of the oar suspended! --The evening darkness gathers round By virtue's holiest Powers attended. * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1800. Such heart did once the poet bless, 1798.] [Variant 2: 1815. Who, pouring here a _later_ [i] ditty, 1798.] [Variant 3: 1802. Remembrance, as we glide along, 1798. ... float ... 1800.] [Variant 4: 1802. For him ... 1798.] [Variant 5: 1802. May know his freezing sorrows more. 1798.] [Sub-Footnote i: The italics only occur in the editions of 1798 and 1800.--Ed.]