garden to warrant
the phrase, "its own small pasture." It is unnecessary to localise the
allusions.--ED.

VARIANTS:

[1] 1837.

Yes, there is holy pleasure in thine eye! 1807.

[2] 1827.

... oh! do not sigh, 1807.

[3] 1827.

Sighing a wish to tear ... 1807.

[4] 1827.

This blissful leaf, with worst impiety. 1807.

... with harsh impiety. 1815.

[5] 1827.

... would ... 1807.

[6] 1838.

... would melt, and melt away! 1807.

FOOTNOTES:

[A] Compare the lines in _Peter Bell_, vol. ii. p. 13--

Where deep and low the hamlets lie
Beneath their little patch of sky
And little lot of stars. ED.

"'BELOVED VALE!' I SAID, 'WHEN I SHALL CON'"

Composed 1806.--Published 1807

One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED.

"Beloved Vale!" I said, "when I shall con
Those many records of my childish years,
Remembrance of myself and of my peers
Will press me down: to think of what is gone
Will be an awful thought, if life have one." 5
But, when into the Vale I came, no fears
Distressed me; from mine eyes escaped no tears;[1]
Deep thought, or dread remembrance, had I none.[2]
By doubts and thousand petty fancies crost[3]
I stood, of simple shame the blushing Thrall;[A] 10
So narrow seemed the brooks, the fields so small![4]
A Juggler's balls old Time about him tossed;
I looked, I stared, I smiled, I laughed; and all
The weight of sadness was in wonder lost.

Doubtless the "Vale" referred to is that of Hawkshead; the "brooks" may
refer to the one that feeds Esthwaite lake, or to Sawrey beck, or (more
likely) to the streamlet, "the famous brook within our garden boxed,"
described in _The Prelude_, books i. and ii. (vol. iii.) See also _The
Fountain_, vol. ii. p. 92.--ED.

VARIANTS:

[1] 1827.

Distress'd me; I look'd round, I shed no tears; 1807.

[2] 1837.

... or awful vision, I had none. 1807.

... had I none. 1827.

[3] 1827.

By thousand petty fancies I was cross'd, 1807.

[4] 1827.

To see the Trees, which I had thought so tall,
Mere dwarfs; the