No More Learning

--I. F. ]

From 1815 to 1832 this was classed among the "Poems proceeding from
Sentiment and Reflection. " In 1836 it was transferred to the group of
"Poems of the Imagination. "--Ed.




Dear Child of Nature, let them rail!
--There is a nest in a green dale,
A harbour and a hold;
Where thou, a Wife and Friend, shalt see
Thy own heart-stirring days, [1] and be 5
A light to young and old.

There, healthy as a shepherd boy,
And treading among flowers of joy
Which at no season fade, [2]
Thou, while thy babes around thee cling, 10
Shalt show us how divine a thing
A Woman may be made.

Thy thoughts and feelings shall not die,
Nor leave thee, when grey hairs are nigh
A melancholy slave; 15
But an old age serene [3] and bright,
And lovely as a Lapland night,
Shall lead thee to thy grave.


* * * * *

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1836.

Thy own delightful days, . . . 1802. ]


[Variant 2:

1836.
As if thy heritage were joy,
And pleasure were thy trade. 1802.

And treading among flowers of joy,
That at no season fade, 1827. ]


[Variant 3:

1815.

. . . alive . . . 1802. ]


* * * * *

FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT

[Footnote A: For the original title of this poem,--as published in 'The
Morning Post and Gazetteer',--see the note to the previous poem. When
first published it was unsigned. --Ed. ]


See the editorial note to the preceding poem. --Ed.