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Hither he came in life's austere decline: And, Stranger! this blank Heap of stones and earth Is reverenced ...
Ed.
WRITTEN WITH A PENCIL UPON A STONE IN THE WALL OF THE HOUSE (AN OUT-HOUSE), ON THE ISLAND AT GRASMERE [A]
Composed 1800.--Published 1800
Included among the "Inscriptions."--Ed.
Rude is this Edifice, and Thou hast seen Buildings, albeit rude, that have maintained Proportions more harmonious, and approached To closer fellowship with ideal grace.
But take it in good part:--alas! the poor [1] 5 Vitruvius of our village had no help From the great City; never, upon leaves [2]
Of red Morocco folio saw displayed, In long succession, pre-existing ghosts [3]
Of Beauties yet unborn--the rustic Lodge 10 Antique, and Cottage with verandah graced, Nor lacking, for fit company, alcove, Green-house, sh.e.l.l-grot, and moss-lined hermitage. [4]
Thou see'st a homely Pile, [5] yet to these walls The heifer comes in the snow-storm, and here 15 The new-dropped lamb finds shelter from the wind.
And hither does one Poet sometimes row His pinnace, a small vagrant barge, up-piled With plenteous store of heath and withered fern, (A lading which he with his sickle cuts, 20 Among the mountains) and beneath this roof He makes his summer couch, and here at noon Spreads out his limbs, while, yet unshorn, the Sheep, Panting beneath the burthen of their wool, Lie round him, even as if they were a part 25 Of his own Household: nor, while from his bed He looks, through the open door-place, [6] toward the lake And to the stirring breezes, does he want Creations lovely as the work of sleep-- Fair sights, and visions of romantic joy! 30
VARIANTS ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:
1837.
... and approach'd To somewhat of a closer fellowship With the ideal grace. Yet as it is Do take it in good part; for he, the poor 1800.
... alas! the poor 1815.]
[Variant 2:
1837.
... on the leaves 1800.]
[Variant 3:
1837.
The skeletons and pre-existing ghosts 1800.]
[Variant 4:
1837.
... yet unborn, the rustic Box, Snug Cot, with Coach-house, Shed and Hermitage. 1800.]
[Variant 5:
1815.
It is a homely pile, ... 1800.]
[Variant 6:
1837.
He through that door-place looks ... 1800.]
FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT
[Footnote A: The t.i.tle of this poem in the edition of 1800 was simply 'Inscription for the House (an Out-house) on the Island at Grasmere'.--Ed.]
This "homely pile" on the island of Grasmere--very homely--still remains.--Ed.
