The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth
Chapter 246 : A Pilgrim bold in Natures care, And all the long year through the heir 1807. Bright fl

A Pilgrim bold in Nature's care, And all the long year through the heir 1807.

Bright flower, whose home is every where!

A Pilgrim bold in Nature's care, And oft, the long year through, the heir 1827.

Confiding Flower, by Nature's care Made bold,--who, lodging here or there, Art all the long year through the heir 1837.]

[Variant 2:

1850.

... or ... 1807.]

[Variant 3:

1807.

Communion ... 1837.

The text of 1840 returns to that of 1807.]

[Variant 4:

1807.

And wherefore? Man is soon deprest; 1827.

The text of 1837 returns to that of 1807.]

[Variant 5:

1807.

But ... 1827.

The text of 1837 returns to that of 1807.]

[Variant 6:

1807.

This stanza was omitted in the editions of 1827 and 1832, but replaced in 1837.]

The three preceding poems 'To the Daisy' evidently belong to the same time, and are, as Wordsworth expressly says, "overflowings of the mind in composing the one which stands first." Nevertheless, in the revised edition of 1836-7, he gave the date 1802 to the first, 1803 to the third, and 1805 to the second of them. In the earlier editions 1815 to 1832, they are all cla.s.sed among the "Poems of the Fancy," but in the edition of 1837, and afterwards, the last, "Bright Flower! whose home is everywhere," is ranked among the "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection."

They should manifestly be placed together. Wordsworth's fourth poem 'To the Daisy', which is an elegy on his brother John, and belongs to a subsequent year--having no connection with the three preceding poems, will be found in its chronological place.--Ed.

LOUISA

AFTER ACCOMPANYING HER ON A MOUNTAIN EXCURSION

Composed 1802.--Published 1807

[Town-end 1805.--I. F.]

One of the "Poems founded on the Affections." From 1807 to 1832 the t.i.tle was simply 'Louisa'.--Ed.

I met Louisa in the shade, And, having seen that lovely Maid, Why should I fear to say [1]

That, nymph-like, she is fleet and strong, [2]

And down the rocks can leap along 5 Like rivulets in May?

[3]

She loves her fire, her cottage-home; Yet o'er the moorland will she roam In weather rough and bleak; And, when against the wind she strains, 10 Oh! might I kiss the mountain rains That sparkle on her cheek.

Take all that's mine "beneath the moon," [A]

If I with her but half a noon May sit beneath the walls 15 Of some old cave, or mossy nook, When up she winds along the brook [4]

To hunt the waterfalls.

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1807.

Though, by a sickly taste betrayed, Some will dispraise the lovely Maid, With fearless pride I say 1836.

The text of 1845 returns to that of 1807.]