The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth Volume Iii Part 12

[Variant 1:

1815

From strife and from despair; a glorious ministry. 1807.]

[Variant 2:

... the right ... MS.

... thy will ... MS.]

[Variant 3:

1837.

May joy be theirs while life shall last!

And Thou, if they should totter, teach them to stand fast! 1807.

Long may the kindly impulse last!

But Thou, ... 1827.

And may that genial sense remain, when youth is past. MS.]

[Variant 4:

1827.

And bless'd are they who in the main This faith, even now, do entertain: 1807.

Even now this creed do entertain MS.

This holy creed do entertain MS.]

[Variant 5:

1845.

Yet find that other strength, ... 1807.

Yet find thy firm support, ... 1837.]

[Variant 6:

1827.

Resolved that nothing e'er should press Upon my present happiness, I shoved unwelcome tasks away; 1807.

Full oft, when in my heart was heard Thy timely mandate, I deferred The task imposed, from day to day; 1815.]

[Variant 7:

But henceforth I would ... MS.]

[Variant 8:

1827.

... which ... 1807.]

[Variant 9:

Yet not the less would I throughout Still act according to the voice Of my own wish; and feel past doubt That my submissiveness was choice: Not seeking in the school of pride For "precepts over dignified,"

Denial and restraint I prize No farther than they breed a second Will more wise.

Only in the edition of 1807.]

[Variant 10:

... more ... MS.]

FOOTNOTES ON THE TEXT

[Footnote A: This motto was added in the edition of 1837.--Ed.]

[Footnote B: Compare S. T. C. in 'The Friend' (edition 1818, vol. iii.

p. 62),

"Its instinct, its safety, its benefit, its glory is to love, to admire, to feel, and to labour."

Ed.]

[Footnote C: Compare Churchill's 'Gotham', i. 49: