No More Learning

Nor less to feed unhallow'd thought
The beauteous forms of nature wrought,
Fair trees and lovely flowers;
The breezes their own languor lent;
The stars had feelings which they sent
Into those magic bowers.

Yet, in my worst pursuits, I ween,
That often there did intervene
Pure hopes of high intent;
My passions, amid forms so fair
And stately, wanted not their share
Of noble sentiment.

So was it then, and so is now:
For, Ruth! with thee I know not how
I feel my spirit burn
Even as the east when day comes forth;
And to the west, and south, and north,
The morning doth return.

It is a purer better mind:
O Maiden innocent and kind
What sights I might have seen!
Even now upon my eyes they break! "
--And he again began to speak
Of Lands where he had been.

The last stanza is only in the editions of 1802-1805. [a]]


[Variant 9:

1836.

And then he said "How sweet it were 1800. ]


[Variant 10:

1845.

A gardener in the shade,
Still wandering with an easy mind
To build . . . 1800.
In sunshine or through shade
To wander with an easy mind;
And build . . . 1836. ]


[Variant 11:

1836.

. . . sweet . . . 1800. ]


[Variant 12:

1832.

Dear . . .