A book was writ of late called _Tetrachordon_, And woven close, both matter, form, and style; The subject new: it walked the town a while, Numbering good intellects; now seldom pored on. Cries the stall-reader, "Bless us! what a word on A title-page is this!"; and some in file Stand spelling false, while one might walk to Mile-End Green. Why, is it harder, sirs, than _Gordon_, _Colkitto_, or _Macdonnel_, or _Galasp_? Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek, That would have made Quintilian stare and gasp. Thy age, like ours, O soul of Sir John Cheek, Hated not learning worse than toad or asp, When thou taught'st Cambridge and King Edward Greek. ED. VARIANTS: [Footnote 403: 1820. 1 vol. edition. ... (who brook these hacknied themes full well, Nor chafe, ... 1820. 4 vol. edition. Edition 1827 returns to text of 1820, 1 vol. edition. ] OXFORD, MAY 30, 1820 Composed 1820.--Published 1820 One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED. Ye sacred Nurseries of blooming Youth! In whose collegiate shelter England's Flowers Expand, enjoying through their vernal hours The air of liberty, the light of truth; Much have ye suffered from Time's gnawing tooth: 5 Yet, O ye spires of Oxford! domes and towers! Gardens and groves! your presence overpowers The soberness of reason; till, in sooth, Transformed, and rushing on a bold exchange, I slight my own beloved Cam, to range 10 Where silver Isis leads my stripling feet; Pace the long avenue, or glide adown The stream-like windings of that glorious street-- An eager Novice robed in fluttering gown! Wordsworth's love for his own university of Cambridge was strong; and he has commemorated St. John's College, as well as King's, and Trinity, in _The Prelude_ (book iii. ll. 4, 46, 53, etc.): but the enthusiasm, expressed in this Sonnet, for "the spires of Oxford," and The stream-like windings of that glorious street, (High Street), and "the long avenue" (Broad Walk) was both natural and generous.--ED. OXFORD, MAY 30, 1820 Composed 1820.--Published 1820 One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED.