Why this sonnet was printed, from 1819 (in which year it appeared in _The Waggoner, a Poem, to which are added Sonnets_,) to the last edition of 1849, within inverted commas, I have never been able to discover.--ED. TO A SNOW-DROP[375] Composed 1819.--Published 1819 One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED. Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they But hardier far, once more I see thee bend Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend, Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day,[376] Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, way-lay 5 The rising sun, and on the plains descend; Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend[377] Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May Shall soon behold this border thickly set With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing 10 On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers; Nor will I then thy modest grace forget,[378] Chaste Snow-drop, venturous harbinger of Spring, And pensive monitor of fleeting years! VARIANTS: [Footnote 373: 1837. CAPTIVITY. 1819. ] [Footnote 374: 1827. Burning within ... 1819. ] [Footnote 375: 1827. To a snow-drop, appearing very early in the season. 1819. ] "WHEN HAUGHTY EXPECTATIONS PROSTRATE LIE" Composed 1819.--Published 1820 One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED. When haughty expectations prostrate lie,[DN] And grandeur crouches like a guilty thing, Oft shall the lowly weak, till nature bring Mature release, in fair society Survive, and Fortune's utmost anger try; 5 Like these frail snow-drops that together cling, And nod their helmets, smitten by the wing Of many a furious whirl-blast sweeping by. Observe the faithful flowers![DO] if small to great May lead the thoughts, thus struggling used to stand The Emathian phalanx,[DP] nobly obstinate; 11 And so the bright immortal Theban band,[DQ] Whom onset, fiercely urged at Jove's command, Might overwhelm, but could not separate! VARIANTS: [Footnote 376: 1827. But hardier far, though modestly thou bend Thy front--as if _such_ presence could offend! Who guards thy slender stalk while, day by day, 1819. ] [Footnote 377: 1827. Accept the greeting that befits a friend 1819. ] [Footnote 378: 1827. Yet will I not thy gentle grace forget, 1819. ] FOOTNOTES: [Footnote DN: In the edition of 1820 this sonnet was entitled, _On seeing a tuft of Snow-drops in a Storm;_ and, in the edition of 1827, the title was, _Composed a few days after the foregoing;_ the "foregoing" sonnet being that addressed _To a Snow-drop_.--ED.] TO THE RIVER DERWENT Composed 1819.--Published 1819