Down towards the vale with eager speed,
Behold this
streamlet
run
As if 'twere pleased with summer skies
And glad to meet the sun.
William Wordsworth
* * * * *
VARIANTS ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:
1820.
Now, Matthew, let us try to match 1800.]
[Variant 2:
1837.
Down to the vale this water steers, 1800.
Down to the vale with eager speed
Behold this streamlet run,
From subterranean bondage freed,
And glittering in the sun. C.
From subterranean darkness freed,
A pleasant course to run. C.
Down to the vale this streamlet hies,
Look, how it seems to run,
As if 't were pleased with summer skies,
And glad to meet the sun. C.
And glad to greet the sun. MS.
No guide it needs, no check it fears,
How merrily it goes!
'Twill murmur on a thousand years,
And flow as now it flows. C.
Down towards the vale with eager speed,
Behold this
streamlet
run
As if 'twere pleased with summer skies
And glad to meet the sun.
C.]
[Variant 3:
1837.
The blackbird in the summer trees,
The lark upon the hill, 1800.]
