Out of our Valley's limits did he roam : His voice came to us from the neighbouring height : Ah! piteous sight it was to see this Man Down would he sit; and without strength or power Great wonder to our gentle tribe it was And his own mind did like a tempest strong Come to him thus, and drove the weary Wight along. With him there often walked in friendly guise, Or lay upon the moss by brook or tree, Heavy his low-hung lip did oft appear, Deprest by weight of musing Phantasy; Profound his forehead was, though not severe ; Yet some did think that he had little business here: Sweet heaven forefend! his was a lawful right; His limbs would toss about him with delight He would have taught you how you might employ Expedients, too, of simplest sort he tried: A pipe on which the wind would deftly play; The beetle panoplied in gems and gold,* The mysteries that cups of flowers enfold,+ And all the gorgeous sights which fairies do behold. He would entice that other Man to hear His music, and to view his imagery: And, sooth, these two were each to the other dear : * The beetle with his radiance manifold.-Edit. 1815. And cups of flowers, and herbage green and gold.-Edit. 1815. As happy spirits as were ever seen; Or butterfly sate down, they were, I ween, As pleased as if the same had been a Maiden-queen. 1802. ELLEN IRWIN : OR, THE BRAES OF KIRTLE. * FAIR Ellen Irwin, when she sate Was lovely as a Grecian maid From many knights and many squires By Ellen was rejected. Sad tidings to that noble Youth! For it may be proclaimed with truth, That Gordon loves as dearly. But what are Gordon's form and face, * The Kirtle is a river in the southern part of Scotland, on the banks of which the events here related took place. To them, 'mid Kirtle's pleasant braes, The Gordon, couched behind a thorn, Proud Gordon, maddened by the thoughts Fair Ellen saw it as it came, And, starting up to meet the same, Did with her body cover The Youth, her chosen lover. And, falling into Bruce's arms, Thus died the beauteous Ellen, And Bruce, as soon as he had slain But many days, and many months, This wretched Knight did vainly seek * To them who sit by Kirtle's braes † And coming back across the wave, His body he extended, And there his sorrow ended. Now ye, who willingly have heard By Ellen's side the Bruce is laid; SHE DWELT AMONG THE UNTRODDEN WAYS.* SHE dwelt among the untrodden ways Beside the springs of Dove, A Maid whom there were none to praise A violet by a mossy stone Half hidden from the eye! -Fair as a star, when only one Is shining in the sky. She lived unknown, and few could know When Lucy ceased to be; But she is in her grave, and, oh, The difference to me! t * Written at Goslar, 1799. Thirty years ago, Mr. Wordsworth, speaking to the Editor of this volume of the distinction between an ear for verse and an ear for music, quoted this poem, and said that some one who wished to write music for it, could not make anything of the last line, on account of the word "difference." Nothing however could be more musical than Wordsworth's recitation of these delightful lines. |