--Published 1800
[The principal features are taken from my friend Robert Jones.
[The principal features are taken from my friend Robert Jones.
William Wordsworth
W.
1800.
]
The editions of 1836, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, and 1845, and the Fenwick
note, assign this poem to the year 1801. It must, however, have been
composed during the previous year, because it was published in the
"Lyrical Ballads" of 1800. The locality referred to--which is also
associated with 'The Waggoner'--is easily identified.
In a letter to Wordsworth, written in the year 1815, Charles Lamb said:
"How I can be brought in, _felo de omittendo_, for that ending to the
Boy-builders is a mystery. I can't say positively now, I only know that
no line oftener or readier occurs than that 'Light-hearted boys, I will
build up a Giant with you. ' It comes naturally, with a warm holiday, and
the freshness of the blood. It is a perfect summer amulet, that I tie
round my legs to quicken their motion when I go out a maying. " (See
_Letters of Charles Lamb_, edited by Alfred Ainger, vol. i. p.
287. )--Ed.
* * * * *
A CHARACTER
Composed 1800.
--Published 1800
[The principal features are taken from my friend Robert Jones. --I. F. ]
Included among the "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection. "--Ed.
I marvel how Nature could ever find space
For so many strange contrasts in one human face: [1]
There's thought and no thought, and there's paleness and bloom
And bustle and sluggishness, pleasure and gloom.
There's weakness, and strength both redundant and vain; 5
Such strength as, if ever affliction and pain
Could pierce through a temper that's soft to disease,
Would be rational peace--a philosopher's ease.
There's indifference, alike when he fails or [2] succeeds,
And attention full ten times as much as there needs; 10
Pride where there's no envy, there's so much of joy;
And mildness, and spirit both forward and coy.
There's freedom, and sometimes a diffident stare
Of shame scarcely seeming to know that she's there,
There's virtue, the title it surely may claim, 15
Yet wants heaven knows what to be worthy the name.
This picture from nature may seem to depart, [3]
Yet the Man would at once run away with your heart;
And I for five centuries right gladly would be
Such an odd such a kind happy creature as he. 20
* * * * *
VARIANTS ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:
1837.
For the weight and the levity seen in his face: 1800. ]
[Variant 2:
1837.
. . .
The editions of 1836, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, and 1845, and the Fenwick
note, assign this poem to the year 1801. It must, however, have been
composed during the previous year, because it was published in the
"Lyrical Ballads" of 1800. The locality referred to--which is also
associated with 'The Waggoner'--is easily identified.
In a letter to Wordsworth, written in the year 1815, Charles Lamb said:
"How I can be brought in, _felo de omittendo_, for that ending to the
Boy-builders is a mystery. I can't say positively now, I only know that
no line oftener or readier occurs than that 'Light-hearted boys, I will
build up a Giant with you. ' It comes naturally, with a warm holiday, and
the freshness of the blood. It is a perfect summer amulet, that I tie
round my legs to quicken their motion when I go out a maying. " (See
_Letters of Charles Lamb_, edited by Alfred Ainger, vol. i. p.
287. )--Ed.
* * * * *
A CHARACTER
Composed 1800.
--Published 1800
[The principal features are taken from my friend Robert Jones. --I. F. ]
Included among the "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection. "--Ed.
I marvel how Nature could ever find space
For so many strange contrasts in one human face: [1]
There's thought and no thought, and there's paleness and bloom
And bustle and sluggishness, pleasure and gloom.
There's weakness, and strength both redundant and vain; 5
Such strength as, if ever affliction and pain
Could pierce through a temper that's soft to disease,
Would be rational peace--a philosopher's ease.
There's indifference, alike when he fails or [2] succeeds,
And attention full ten times as much as there needs; 10
Pride where there's no envy, there's so much of joy;
And mildness, and spirit both forward and coy.
There's freedom, and sometimes a diffident stare
Of shame scarcely seeming to know that she's there,
There's virtue, the title it surely may claim, 15
Yet wants heaven knows what to be worthy the name.
This picture from nature may seem to depart, [3]
Yet the Man would at once run away with your heart;
And I for five centuries right gladly would be
Such an odd such a kind happy creature as he. 20
* * * * *
VARIANTS ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:
1837.
For the weight and the levity seen in his face: 1800. ]
[Variant 2:
1837.
. . .
