And know--that, even for him who shuns the day And nightly tosses on a bed of pain; Whose joys, from all but memory swept away, 25 Must come unhoped for, if they come again; Know--that, for him whose waking thoughts, severe As his distress is sharp, would scorn my theme, The mimic notes, striking upon his ear In sleep, and intermingling with his dream, 30 Could from sad regions send him to a dear Delightful land of verdure, shower and gleam, To mock the _wandering_ Voice[257] beside some haunted stream.[258] O bounty without measure! while the grace Of Heaven doth in such wise, from humblest springs, 35 Pour pleasure forth, and solaces that trace A mazy course along familiar things, Well may our hearts have faith that blessings come, Streaming from founts above the starry sky, With angels when their own untroubled home 40 They leave, and speed on nightly embassy To visit earthly chambers,--and for whom? Yea, both for souls who God’s forbearance try, And those that seek his help, and for his mercy sigh. [257] Compare _To the Cuckoo_ (vol. ii. p. 289)-- O Cuckoo! shall I call thee Bird, Or but a wandering Voice? ED. [258] Professor Dowden has appropriately called attention to the fact that the cuckoo-clock at Rydal Mount was not stopped during Wordsworth’s last illness.--ED. “WANSFELL! THIS HOUSEHOLD HAS A FAVOURED LOT” Composed 1842.--Published 1845 One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”--ED. Wansfell![259] this Household has a favoured lot, Living with liberty on thee to gaze, To watch while Morn first crowns thee with her rays, Or when along thy breast serenely float Evening’s angelic clouds. Yet ne’er a note 5 Hath sounded (shame upon the Bard!) thy praise For all that thou, as if from heaven, hast brought Of glory lavished on our quiet days. Bountiful Son of Earth! when we are gone From every object dear to mortal sight, 10 As soon we shall be, may these words attest How oft, to elevate our spirits, shone Thy visionary majesties of light, How in thy pensive glooms our hearts found rest. _Dec. 24, 1842._ [259] The Hill that rises to the south-east, above Ambleside.--W.W. 1842. “THOUGH THE BOLD WINGS OF POESY AFFECT” Composed (?)--Published 1842 One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”--ED.