No More Learning

To where, while thick above the branches close,
In dark-brown bason its wild waves repose,
Inverted shrubs, and moss of darkest green,
Cling from the rocks, with pale wood-weeds between;
Save that, atop, the subtle sunbeams shine,
On wither'd briars that o'er the craggs recline;
Sole light admitted here, a small cascade,
Illumes with sparkling foam the twilight shade.
Beyond, along the visto of the brook,
Where antique roots its bustling path o'erlook,
The eye reposes on a secret bridge
Half grey, half shagg'd with ivy to its ridge.
--Sweet rill, farewel! . . . 1793. ]


[Variant 18:

1845.

But see aloft the subtle sunbeams shine,
On withered briars that o'er the crags recline;
Thus beautiful! as if the sight displayed,
By its own sparkling foam that small cascade;
Inverted shrubs, with moss of gloomy green
Cling from the rocks, with pale wood-weeds between. C.

Inverted shrubs with pale wood weeds between
Cling from the moss-grown rocks, a darksome green,
Save where aloft the subtle sunbeams shine
And its own twilight softens the whole scene.
And sparkling as it foams a small cascade
Illumines from within the impervious shade
Below, right in the vista of the brook,
Where antique roots, etc. MS. ]


[Variant 19:

1845.
Sole light admitted here, a small cascade,
Illumes with sparkling foam the impervious shade; 1820. ]


[Variant 20:

1827.

. . . path . . . 1793. ]


[Variant 21:

1845.

Whence hangs, in the cool shade, the listless swain
Lingering behind his disappearing wain. 1820. ]


[Variant 22:

1845.

--Sweet rill, . . .