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Long may ye roam these hermit waves that sleep,
In birch-besprinkl'd cliffs embosom'd deep;
These fairy holms untrodden, still, and green,
Whose shades protect the hidden wave serene;
Whence fragrance scents the water's desart gale,
The violet, and the [iii] lily of the vale; 1793.

Long may ye float upon these floods serene;
Yours be these holms untrodden, still, and green,
Whose leafy shades fence off the blustering gale,
Where breathes in peace the lily of the vale. 1827. ]


[Variant 72:

1820.

Where, tho' her far-off twilight ditty steal,
They not the trip of harmless milkmaid feel. 1793. ]


[Variant 73:

1836.

Yon tuft conceals your home, your cottage bow'r.
Fresh water rushes strew the verdant floor; 1793.

Yon isle conceals . . . 1820. ]


[Variant 74:

1836.

Thence issuing oft, unwieldly as ye stalk,
Ye crush with broad black feet your flow'ry walk; 1793.
Thence issuing often with unwieldly stalk,
With broad black feet ye crush your flow'ry walk; 1820. ]


[Variant 75:

1820.

Safe from your door ye hear at breezy morn, 1793. ]


[Variant 76:

1836.

. . . and mellow horn;
At peace inverted your lithe necks ye lave,
With the green bottom strewing o'er the wave;
No ruder sound your desart haunts invades,
Than waters dashing wild, or rocking shades.
Ye ne'er, like hapless human wanderers, throw
Your young on winter's winding sheet of snow. 1793.

. . . and mellow horn;
Involve your serpent necks in changeful rings,
Rolled wantonly between your slippery wings,
Or, starting up with noise and rude delight,
Force half upon the wave your cumbrous flight. 1820. ]


[Variant 77:

1836.