Child of the Year! that round dost run Thy pleasant course,--when day's begun As ready to salute the sun 75 As lark or leveret, Thy long-lost praise thou shalt regain; [B] Nor be less dear to future men Than in old time;--thou not in vain [13] Art Nature's favourite. [C] 80 * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: The extract from Wither was first prefixed to this poem in the edition of 1815. The late Mr. Dykes Campbell was of opinion that Charles Lamb had suggested this motto to Wordsworth, as 'The Shepherd's Hunting' was Lamb's "prime favourite" amongst Wither's poems. It may be as well to note that his quotation was erroneous in two places. His "instruction" should be "invention" (l. 3), and his "the" (in l. 4) should be "her."--Ed.] [Variant 2: 1807. To gentle sympathies awake, MS.] [Variant 3: 1807. And Nature's love of Thee partake, Her much-loved Daisy! 1836. The text of 1840 returns to the reading of 1807. Of her sweet Daisy. C.] [Variant 4: 1836. When soothed a while by milder airs, Thee Winter in the garland wears That thinly shades his few grey hairs; Spring cannot shun thee; 1807. When Winter decks his few grey hairs Thee in the scanty wreath he wears; Spring parts the clouds with softest airs, That she may sun thee; 1827.] [Variant 5: 1836. ... in the lane; If welcome once thou count'st it gain; Thou art not daunted, Nor car'st if thou be set at naught; 1807. If welcom'd ... 1815. The text of 1827 returns to that of 1807.] [Variant 6: 1820 He need..... 1807] [Variant 7: 1807 ....some chance delight; MS.] [Variant 8: 1807 Some charm..... C.] [Variant 9: 1807 And some..... MS.] [Variant 10: 1836. When, smitten by the morning ray, I see thee rise alert and gay, Then, chearful Flower! my spirits play With kindred motion: 1807. With kindred gladness: 1815. Then Daisy! do my spirits play, With cheerful motion. MS.] [Variant 11: 1815. At dusk, I've seldom mark'd thee press The ground, as if in thankfulness Without some feeling, more or less, Of true devotion. 1807. The ground in modest thankfulness MS.] [Variant 12: 1807. But more than all I number yet O bounteous Flower! another debt Which I to thee wherever met Am daily owing; MS.] [Variant 13: 1836. Child of the Year! that round dost run Thy course, bold lover of the sun, And chearful when the day's begun As morning Leveret, Thou long the Poet's praise shalt gain; Thou wilt be more belov'd by men In times to come; thou not in vain 1807.