Shame on this faithless heart! that could allow Such transport, though but for a moment's space; Not while--to aid the spirit of the place-- The crescent moon clove[404] with its glittering prow The clouds, or night-bird sang[405] from shady bough; 5 But in plain daylight:--She, too, at my side, Who, with her heart's experience satisfied, Maintains inviolate its slightest vow! Sweet Fancy! other gifts must I receive; Proofs of a higher sovereignty I claim; 10 Take from _her_ brow the withering flowers of eve, And to that brow life's morning wreath restore; Let _her_ be comprehended in the frame Of these illusions, or they please no more. The reference (in lines 6-8) is probably to his sister Dorothy. Wordsworth, his wife, and sister were at Oxford on the 30th of May 1820; and they went on immediately afterwards to London: for H. C. Robinson tells us that, on the 2nd of June, he met the Wordsworths at Charles Lamb's.--ED. JUNE, 1820 Composed 1820.--Published 1820 One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED. Fame tells of groves--from England far away-- [EK]Groves that inspire the Nightingale to trill And modulate, with subtle reach of skill Elsewhere unmatched, her ever-varying lay; Such bold report I venture to gainsay: 5 For I have heard the quire of Richmond hill Chanting, with indefatigable bill, Strains that recalled to mind a distant day;[406] When, haply under shade of that same wood, And scarcely conscious of the dashing oars 10 Plied steadily between those willowy shores, The sweet-souled Poet of the Seasons stood-- Listening, and listening long, in rapturous mood, Ye heavenly Birds! to your Progenitors.[EL] VARIANTS: [Footnote 404: 1827. ... cleaves ... 1820. ] [Footnote 405: 1827. ... sings ... 1820. ] [Footnote 406: 1827. While I bethought me of a distant day; 1820. ] FOOTNOTES: [Footnote EK: Wallachia is the country alluded to.--W. W. 1820.] [Footnote EL: The Wordsworths remained some time in London in 1820, before they started for the Continent, on the 1st of August. They came up to be present at the marriage of Mr. Monkhouse. It is probable that they visited Richmond during this visit, and that the above Sonnet was suggested, both by the nightingale's song at Richmond, and by the prospect of their own Continental Tour. In connection with the six last lines of the Sonnet, it may be remembered that, when sailing between Kew and Richmond, Thomson, The sweet-souled Poet of the Seasons, caught the cold which ended his days. He lies buried in Richmond Church. In the first Book of _The Seasons_, on "Spring," he thus alludes to the nightingales--