The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 4 (of 8)

Name: The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 4 (of 8)
Author: Wordsworth, William

Wordsworth, William

English poetry -- 18th century; English poetry -- 19th century

... wrong and strife,
      (By nature transient) than such torpid life!
          The silent Heavens have goings-on;
          The stars have tasks--but these have none!     1820.

      (By nature transient) than such torpid life;
          Life which the very stars reprove
          As on their silent tasks they move!            1827.

[2] 1827.

      ... and ...                                        1820.

[3] 1836.

      ... suffers ...                                    1820.

[4] The last four lines were added in 1820.


FOOTNOTES:

[A] Compare the _Ode to Duty_, l. 47 (vol. iii. p. 41).--ED.

[B] Compare, in the _Ode to Duty_, l. 48--

      And the most ancient heavens, through Thee, are fresh and strong.--
                                                           ED.

[C] Compare, in the Fragment, vol. viii., beginning "No doubt if you in
terms direct had asked," the phrase--

                ... the goings on
      Of earth and sky.                                    ED.




"O NIGHTINGALE! THOU SURELY ART"

Composed 1807 (probably).--Published 1807


[Written at Town-end, Grasmere. (Mrs. W. says, in a note,--"At
Coleorton.")--I. F.]

One of the "Poems of the Imagination."--ED.


    O Nightingale! thou surely art
    A creature of a "fiery heart:"--[A][1]
    These notes of thine--they pierce and pierce;
    Tumultuous harmony and fierce!
    Thou sing'st as if the God of wine                           5
    Had helped thee to a Valentine;[B]
    A song in mockery and despite
    Of shades, and dews, and silent night;
    And steady bliss, and all the loves
    Now sleeping in these peaceful groves.                      10

    I heard a Stock-dove sing or say
    His homely tale, this very day;
    His voice was buried among trees,
    Yet to be come-at by the breeze:
    He did not cease; but cooed--and cooed;                     15
    And somewhat pensively he wooed:
    He sang of love, with quiet blending,
    Slow to begin, and never ending;
    Of serious faith, and inward glee;
    That was the song--the song for me!                         20

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The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 4 (of 8)

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