The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth
Chapter 278 : [Variant 6: ... busy ... MS.] [Variant 7: 1836, Hung with head towards the ground, 180

[Variant 6:

... busy ... MS.]

[Variant 7:

1836,

Hung with head towards the ground, 1807.]

[Variant 8:

... and ... MS.]

[Variant 9:

1836.

... glitters ... 1807.]

[Variant 10:

1849.

Laura's [a] 1807]

[Variant 11: Additional lines:

But I'll take a hint from you, And to pleasure will be true, MS.]

[Variant 12:

Be it songs of endless Spring Which the frolic Muses sing, Jest, and Mirth's unruly brood Dancing to the Phrygian mood; Be it love, or be it wine, Myrtle wreath, or ivy twine, Or a garland made of both; Whether then Philosophy That would fill us full of glee Seeing that our breath we draw Under an unbending law, That our years are halting never; Quickly gone, and gone for ever, And would teach us thence to brave The conclusion in the grave; Whether it be these that give Strength and spirit so to live, Or the conquest best be made, By a sober course and staid, I would walk in such a way, MS.]

[Variant 13:

... joyousness. MS.]

[Variant 14:

From the things by ... MS.]

FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT

[Footnote A: In the editions of 1807-1832 the t.i.tle was 'The Kitten and the Falling Leaves'.--Ed.]

SUB-FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT

[Sub-Footnote a: Dora Wordsworth died in July 1847. Probably the change of text in 1849--one of the latest which the poet made--was due to the wish to connect this poem with memories of his dead daughter's childhood, and her "laughing eye."--Ed.]

THE SMALL CELANDINE [A]

Composed 1804.--Published 1807

[Grasmere, Town-end. It is remarkable that this flower coming out so early in the spring as it does, and so bright and beautiful, and in such profusion, should not have been noticed earlier in English verse. What adds much to the interest that attends it, is its habit of shutting itself up and opening out according to the degree of light and temperature of the air.--I. F.]

In pencil on opposite page "Has not Chaucer noticed it?"--W. W.

This was cla.s.sed by Wordsworth among his "Poems referring to the Period of Old Age."-Ed.

There is a Flower, the lesser Celandine, That shrinks, like many more, from cold and rain; And, the first moment that the sun may s.h.i.+ne, Bright as the sun himself, [1] 'tis out again!

When hailstones have been falling, swarm on swarm, 5 Or blasts the green field and the trees distrest, Oft have I seen it m.u.f.fled up from harm, In close self-shelter, like a Thing at rest.

But lately, one rough day, this Flower I pa.s.sed And recognised it, though an altered form, 10 Now standing forth an offering to the blast, And buffeted at will by rain and storm.