Never, surely, old Apollo,
He, or other God as old,
Of whom in story we are told,
Who had a favourite to follow
Through a battle or elsewhere,
Round the object of his care,
In a time of peril, threw
Veil of such
celestial
hue; 1819.
William Wordsworth
They are labouring to avert
At least a portion of the blame 1819.
They now are labouring to avert
(Kind creatures!) something of the blame, 1836.]
[Variant 59:
1836.
Which full surely will alight
Upon his head, whom, in despite
Of all his faults, they love the best; 1819.
Upon _his_ head, ... 1820.]
[Variant 60:
1836.
Blends ... 1819.]
[Variant 61:
1845.
Never, surely, old Apollo,
He, or other God as old,
Of whom in story we are told,
Who had a favourite to follow
Through a battle or elsewhere,
Round the object of his care,
In a time of peril, threw
Veil of such
celestial
hue; 1819.
Never Venus or Apollo,
Pleased a favourite chief to follow
Through accidents of peace or war,
In a time of peril threw,
Round the object of his care,
Veil of such celestial hue; 1832.
Never golden-haired Apollo,
Nor blue-eyed Pallas, nor the Idalian Queen,
When each was pleased some favourite chief to follow
Through accidents of peace or war,
In a perilous moment threw
Around the object of celestial care
A veil so rich to mortal view. 1836.
Never Venus or Apollo,
Intent some favourite chief to follow
Through accidents of peace or war,
Round the object of their care
In a perilous moment threw
A veil of such celestial hue. C.
