These two stanzas were
compressed
into one in 1827.
Wordsworth - 1
--every trace
Of inward sadness had its charm;
"Kilve," said I, . . . 1827.
This verse was introduced in 1827. ]
[Variant 7: 1836.
My boy was by my side, so slim
And graceful in his rustic dress!
And oftentimes I talked to him, 1798.
This was stanza v. from 1798 to 1820.
And, as we talked, I questioned him, 1827. ]
[Variant 8:
1827.
"My little boy, which like you more,"
I said and took him by the arm--
"Our home by Kilve's delightful shore,
Or here at Liswyn farm? "
"And tell me, had you rather be,"
I said and held him by the arm,
"At Kilve's smooth shore by the green sea,
Or here at Liswyn farm? " 1798.
These two stanzas were compressed into one in 1827. ]
[Variant 9:
1836.
For, here are woods and green-hills warm; 1798. ]
[Variant 10:
1800.
At this, my boy, so fair and slim,
Hung down his head, nor made reply; 1798. ]
[Variant 11:
1845.
And five times did I say to him, 1798.
And five times to the child I said, 1800. ]
[Variant 12:
1836.
And thus to me he made reply; 1798. ]
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES ON THE TEXT
[Footnote A: See Appendix IV. --Ed. ]
[Footnote B: Mr. Ernest H. Coleridge writes to me of this poem:
"The Fenwick note is most puzzling.
1.
Of inward sadness had its charm;
"Kilve," said I, . . . 1827.
This verse was introduced in 1827. ]
[Variant 7: 1836.
My boy was by my side, so slim
And graceful in his rustic dress!
And oftentimes I talked to him, 1798.
This was stanza v. from 1798 to 1820.
And, as we talked, I questioned him, 1827. ]
[Variant 8:
1827.
"My little boy, which like you more,"
I said and took him by the arm--
"Our home by Kilve's delightful shore,
Or here at Liswyn farm? "
"And tell me, had you rather be,"
I said and held him by the arm,
"At Kilve's smooth shore by the green sea,
Or here at Liswyn farm? " 1798.
These two stanzas were compressed into one in 1827. ]
[Variant 9:
1836.
For, here are woods and green-hills warm; 1798. ]
[Variant 10:
1800.
At this, my boy, so fair and slim,
Hung down his head, nor made reply; 1798. ]
[Variant 11:
1845.
And five times did I say to him, 1798.
And five times to the child I said, 1800. ]
[Variant 12:
1836.
And thus to me he made reply; 1798. ]
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES ON THE TEXT
[Footnote A: See Appendix IV. --Ed. ]
[Footnote B: Mr. Ernest H. Coleridge writes to me of this poem:
"The Fenwick note is most puzzling.
1.