It was in truth a
lamentable
hour 1802.
Wordsworth - 1
. . . how fast they rolled away:
But, through severe mischance, and cruel wrong,
My father's substance fell into decay;
We toiled, and struggled--hoping for a day
When Fortune should put on a kinder look;
But vain were wishes--efforts vain as they:
He from his old hereditary nook
Must part,--the summons came,--our final leave we took. 1820. ]
[Variant 16: The following stanza occurs only in the editions 1798 to
1805:
But, when he had refused the proffered gold,
To cruel injuries he became a prey,
Sore traversed in whate'er he bought and sold:
His troubles grew upon him day by day,
Till all his substance fell into decay.
His little range of water was denied; [i]
All but the bed where his old body lay,
All, all was seized, and weeping, side by side,
We sought a home where we uninjured might abide. 1798.
And all his substance fell into decay.
They dealt most hardly with him, and he tried
To move their hearts--but it was vain--for they
Seized all he had; and, weeping . . . 1802-5. ]
[Variant 17:
1820.
Can I forget that miserable hour, 1798.
It was in truth a lamentable hour 1802. ]
[Variant 18:
1798.
I saw our own dear home, that was . . . 1802.
The edition of 1820 returns to the text of 1798. ]
[Variant 19:
1827.
. . . many and many a song 1798. ]
[Variant 20:
1800.
. . .
