[Suggested by a conversation with Miss Fenwick, who along with her sister had, during their childhood, found much delight in such gatherings for the purposes here alluded to.--I.F.] One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”--ED. Intent on gathering wool from hedge and brake Yon busy Little-ones rejoice that soon A poor old Dame will bless them for the boon: Great is their glee while flake they add to flake With rival earnestness; far other strife 5 Than will hereafter move them, if they make Pastime their idol, give their day of life To pleasure snatched for reckless pleasure’s sake. Can pomp and show allay one heart-born grief? Pains which the World inflicts can she requite? 10 Not for an interval however brief; The silent thoughts that search for stedfast light, Love from her depths,[221] and Duty in her might, And Faith--these only yield secure relief. _March 8th, 1842._ [221] 1845. Love from on high, … 1842. PRELUDE, PREFIXED TO THE VOLUME ENTITLED “POEMS CHIEFLY OF EARLY AND LATE YEARS” Composed March 26, 1842.--Published 1842 [These verses were begun while I was on a visit to my son John at Brigham, and were finished at Rydal. As the contents of the volume, to which they are now prefixed, will be assigned to their respective classes when my poems shall be collected in one volume, I should be at a loss where with propriety to place this prelude, being too restricted in its bearing to serve for a preface for the whole. The lines towards the conclusion allude to the discontents then fomented through the country by the agitators of the Anti-Corn-Law League: the particular causes of such troubles are transitory, but disposition to excite and liability to be excited are nevertheless permanent, and therefore proper objects for the poet’s regard.--I.F.] One of the “Miscellaneous Poems.”--ED.