Doubtless Wordsworth drew on his imagination, "making a truth and beauty of his own," in this, as in every other description of place, which has a local colouring in it; but to connect "the dim cave" of the _Ode to Lycoris_ with these conversations between Coleridge and the Wordsworths--mentioned in the Grasmere Journal of the latter, and hinted at in the closing passage of the Ode--is certainly permissible.--ED. VARIANTS: [Footnote 252: 1827. Here, as in ... 1820. ] [Footnote 253: 1827. Oft perilous, always tiresome; ... 1820. ] [Footnote 254: 1827. As we for most uncertain gain ascend Toward the clouds, dwarfing the world below, 1820. ] [Footnote 255: 1827. ... contending for regard! Lo! there a dim Egerian grotto fringed With ivy-twine, profusely from its brows Dependant,--enter without further aim; And ... 1820. ] [Footnote 256: 1827. Of quiet thought-- ... 1820. ] FOOTNOTES: [Footnote CR: As the Fenwick notes have no regard to chronological order, but refer to the poems as arranged by Wordsworth himself, it may be noted that the "preceding" is the _Ode to Lycoris_; "the two that follow" are _September 1819_, and its sequel entitled _Upon the same Occasion_.--ED.] [Footnote CS: Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome. "He was renowned," says Niebuhr (_History of Rome_, I. 237), "as the author of the Roman ceremonial law. Instructed by the Camena Egeria, who led him into the assemblies of her sisters in the sacred grove, he regulated the whole hierarchy, the pontiffs, the augurs, the flamens," etc.--ED.] [Footnote CT: Compare Walter Savage Landor's _Count Julian_, v. 3-- The very tear ... drops audible. ED. ] [Footnote CU: Possibly this refers to his sister Dorothy. Among the poems on the Tour of 1833 is one _To a Friend_. This friend was the poet's son, pastor at Brigham, Cockermouth. See the note appended to the present poem.--ED.] THE LONGEST DAY ADDRESSED TO MY DAUGHTER, DORA[257] Composed 1817.--Published 1820 [Suggested by the sight of my daughter (Dora) playing in front of Rydal Mount; and composed in a great measure the same afternoon. I have often wished to pair this poem upon the _longest_, with one upon the _shortest_, day, and regret even now that it has not been done.--I. F.] One of the "Poems referring to the Period of Childhood."--ED. Let us quit the leafy arbour, And the torrent murmuring by; For the sun is in his harbour,[258] Weary of the open sky. Evening now unbinds the fetters 5 Fashioned by the glowing light; All that breathe are thankful debtors To the harbinger of night.