of 1827.]

[Variant 3:

1827.

When forth I sallied from our cottage-door, 1800.]

[Variant 4:

1832.

And with a wallet o'er my shoulder slung, 1800.

With a huge wallet o'er my shoulder slung, 1815.]

[Variant 5:

1815.

... I turn'd ... 1800.]

[Variant 6:

1836.

Towards the distant woods, ... 1800.

Toward ... 1832.]

[Variant 7:

1815.

... of Beggar's weeds
Put on for the occasion, by advice
And exhortation ... 1800.]

[Variant 8:

1836.

... Among the woods,
And o'er the pathless rocks, I forc'd my way
Until, at length, I came ... 1800.]

[Variant 9:

1845.

... milk-white clusters ... 1800.]

[Variant 10:

1845.

... beneath ... 1800.]

[Variant 11:

1836.

Even then, when from the bower I turn'd away, 1800.]

[Variant 12:

1836.

... and the intruding sky.--1800.]

* * * * *

FOOTNOTES ON THE TEXT

[Footnote A: The house at which I was boarded during the time I was at
School.--W. W. 1800.]

* * * * *

WRITTEN IN GERMANY, ON ONE OF THE COLDEST DAYS OF THE CENTURY

Composed 1799.--Published 1800

I must apprize the Reader that the stoves in North Germany generally
have the impression of a galloping Horse upon them, this being part of
the Brunswick Arms.--W. W. 1800.

[A bitter winter it was when these verses were composed by the side of
my sister, in our lodgings at a draper's house, in the romantic imperial
town of Goslar, on the edge of the Hartz Forest. In this town the German
emperors of the Franconian Line were accustomed to keep their court, and
it retains vestiges of ancient splendour. So severe was the cold of this
winter, that when we passed out of the parlour warmed by the stove, our
cheeks were struck by the air as by cold iron. I slept in a room over a
passage that was not ceiled. The people of the house used to say rather
unfeelingly, that they expected I should be frozen to death some night;
but with the protection of a pelisse lined with fur, and a dog's skin
bonnet, such as was worn by the peasants, I walked daily on the
ramparts, or on a sort of public ground or garden, in which was a pond.
Here I had no companion but a kingfisher, a beautiful creature that used
to glance by me. I consequently became much attached to it. Duri