No More Learning

(Compressing six lines into two. )

At early morn, the careful housewife, led
To cull her dinner from its garden bed,
Of weedless herbs a healthier prospect sees,
While hum with busier joy her happy bees;
In brighter rows her table wealth aspires,
And laugh with merrier blaze her evening fires; 1820. ]


[Variant 175:

1836.

Her infants' cheeks with fresher roses glow,
And wilder graces sport around their brow; 1820. ]


[Variant 176:

1836.

(Compressing four lines into two. )

By clearer taper lit, a cleanlier board
Receives at supper hour her tempting hoard;
The chamber hearth with fresher boughs is spread,
And whiter is the hospitable bed. 1820. ]


[Variant 177:

1845.

(Compressing four lines into two. )

And oh, fair France! though now along the shade
Where erst at will the grey-clad peasant strayed,
Gleam war's discordant garments through the trees,
And the red banner mocks the froward breeze; 1820.

. . .
discordant vestments through the trees,
And the red banner fluctuates in the breeze; 1827.

. . . though in the rural shade
Where at his will, so late, the grey-clad peasant strayed,
Now, clothed in war's discordant garb, he sees
The three-striped banner fluctuate on the breeze; 1836. ]


[Variant 178:

1836.

Though now no more thy maids their voices suit
To the low-warbled breath of twilight lute,
And, heard the pausing village hum between,
No solemn songstress lull the fading green, 1820.

Though martial songs have banish'd songs of love,
And nightingales forsake the village grove, 1827.

(Compressing the four lines of 1820 into two. )]


[Variant 179:

1836.

While, as Night bids the startling uproar die,
Sole sound, the Sourd renews his mournful cry! 1820. ]


[Variant 180:

1836.

Chasing those long long dreams, . . .