And, fronting the bright west in stronger lines,
The oak its dark'ning boughs and foliage twines, 1793.

The edition of 1815 omitted this couplet. It was restored in its final
form in the edition of 1820.]

[Variant 67:

1836.

I love beside the glowing lake to stray, 1793.

How pleasant near the tranquil lake to stray, 1815.]

[Variant 68:

1836.

... to stray,
Where winds the road along the secret bay;
By rills that tumble down the woody steeps,
And run in transport to the dimpling deeps;
Along the "wild meand'ring shore" to view,
Obsequious Grace the winding swan pursue. 1793.

... a secret bay; 1813.

... meandering shore" ... 1815.]

[Variant 69:

1836.

He swells his lifted chest, and backward flings
His bridling neck between his tow'ring wings;
Stately, and burning in his pride, divides
And glorying looks around, the silent tides:
On as he floats, the silver'd waters glow,
Proud of the varying arch and moveless form of snow. 1793.

... his towering wings;
In all the majesty of ease divides, 1815.]

[Variant 70:

1845.

... her beauty's pride
Forgets, unweary'd watching every side,
She calls them near, and with affection sweet
Alternately relieves their weary feet; 1793.]

[Variant 71:

1836.

Long may ye roam these hermit waves that sleep,
In birch-besprinkl'd cliffs embosom'd deep;
These fairy holms untrodden, still, and green,
Whose shades protect the hidden wave serene;
Whence fragrance scents the water's desart gale,
The violet, and the [iii] lily of the vale; 1793.

Long may ye float upon these floods serene;
Yours be these holms untrodden, still, and green,
Whose leafy shades fence off the blustering gale,
Where breathes in peace the lily of the vale. 1827.]

[Variant 72:

1820.

Where, tho' her far-off twilight ditty steal,
They not the trip of harmless milkmaid feel. 1793.]

[Variant 73:

1836.

Yon tuft conceals your home, your cottage bow'r.
Fresh water rushes strew the verdant floor; 1793.

Yon isle conceals ... 1820.]

[Variant 74:

1836.

Thence issuing oft, unwieldly as ye stalk,
Ye crush with broad black feet your flow'ry walk;