Their present order was
adjusted
in the edition of
1836.
1836.
William Wordsworth
. . . he loves his haven 1800. ]
[Variant 5:
1815.
On . . . 1800. ]
[Variant 6: This stanza was added in 1827. ]
[Variant 7:
1800.
Never--never does the trouble
Of the Wanderer leave my soul. 1815.
The text of 1827 returns to that of 1800. ]
* * * * *
FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT
[Footnote A: In the editions of 1800 to 1832 stanzas 4 and 5 were
transposed.
Their present order was adjusted in the edition of
1836. --Ed. ]
* * * * *
THE BROTHERS [A]
Composed 1800. [B]--Published 1800
[This poem was composed in a grove at the north-eastern end of Grasmere
lake, which grove was in a great measure destroyed by turning the high
road along the side of the water. The few trees that are left were
spared at my intercession. The poem arose out of the fact, mentioned to
me at Ennerdale, that a shepherd had fallen asleep upon the top of the
rock called the Pillar, and perished as here described, his staff being
left midway on the rock. --I. F. ]
One of the "Poems founded on the Affections. "--Ed.
These Tourists, heaven preserve us! needs must live
A profitable life: some glance along,
Rapid and gay, as if the earth were air,
And they were butterflies to wheel about
Long as the [1] summer lasted: some, as wise, 5
Perched on the forehead of a jutting crag,
Pencil in hand and book upon the knee,
Will look and scribble, scribble on and look, [2]
Until a man might travel twelve stout miles,
Or reap an acre of his neighbour's corn. 10
But, for that moping Son of Idleness,
Why can he tarry _yonder_? --In our church-yard
Is neither epitaph nor monument,
Tombstone nor name--only the turf we tread
And a few natural graves. " 15
To Jane, his wife,
Thus spake the homely Priest of Ennerdale.
It was a July evening; and he sate
Upon the long stone-seat beneath the eaves
Of his old cottage,--as it chanced, that day, 20
Employed in winter's work.
