On all occasions her manners were governed by the same spirit: there was no withdrawing one's attention from her. We were so much interested that William, long afterwards, thought it worth while to express in verse the sensations which she had excited, and which then remained as vividly in his mind as at the moment when we lost sight of Jedburgh." (From Dorothy Wordsworth's 'Recollections of a Tour made in Scotland', 1803.)--Ed. * * * * * "FLY, SOME KIND HARBINGER, TO GRASMERE-DALE" [A] Composed September 25, 1803.--Published 1815 [This was actually composed the last day of our tour between Dalston and Grasmere.--I.F.] One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets" in 1815 and 1820.--Ed. Fly, some kind Harbinger, to Grasmere-dale! [1] Say that we come, and come by this day's light; Fly upon swiftest wing round field and height, [2] But chiefly let one Cottage hear the tale; There let a mystery of joy prevail, 5 The kitten frolic, like a gamesome sprite, [3] And Rover whine, as at a second sight Of near-approaching good that shall not fail: And from that Infant's face let joy appear; Yea, let our Mary's one companion child--10 That hath her six weeks' solitude beguiled With intimations manifold and dear, While we have wandered over wood and wild-- Smile on his Mother now with bolder cheer. * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1837. Fly, some kind Spirit, fly to Grasmere Vale! 1815. ... dale, 1827.] [Variant 2: 1837. Glad tidings!--spread them over field and height; 1815.] [Variant 3: 1837. The Kitten frolic with unruly might, 1815. The happy Kitten bound with frolic might, 1827.] * * * * * FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT [Footnote A: In the editions of 1815 and 1820, this poem bore the title, 'On approaching Home, after a Tour in Scotland, 1803',--Ed.] "Sunday, September 25, 1803.--A beautiful autumnal day. Breakfasted at a public-house by the road-side; dined at Threlkeld; arrived at home between eight and nine o'clock, where we found Mary in perfect health, Joanna Hutchinson with her, and little John asleep in the clothes-basket by the fire." (From Dorothy Wordsworth's 'Recollections of a Tour made in Scotland', 1803.)--Ed. * * * * * THE BLIND HIGHLAND BOY A TALE TOLD BY THE FIRE-SIDE, AFTER RETURNING TO THE VALE OF GRASMERE[A] Date of composition uncertain.--Published 1807 [The story was told me by George Mackereth, for many years parish-clerk of Grasmere. He had been an eye-witness of the occurrence. The vessel in reality was a washing-tub, which the little fellow had met with on the shores of the Loch.--I.F.] One of the "Poems referring to the Period of Childhood" in 1815 and 1820.--Ed.