THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, VOL. 8 (Completed)

A NIGHT THOUGHT

Composed 1837.--Published 1837

[These verses were thrown off extempore upon leaving Mrs. Luff'shouse at Fox Ghyll one evening. The good woman is not disposed to look at the bright side of things, and there happened to be present certain ladies who had reached the point of life where youth is ended, and who seemed to contend with each other in expressing their dislike of the country and climate. One of them had been heard to say she could not endure a country where there was "neither sunshine nor cavaliers."--I.F.]

This poem was first published in The Tribute, a Collection of Miscellaneous unpublished Poems by various Authors, edited by Lord Northampton, in 1837, "for the benefit of the widow and family of the Rev. Edward Smedley." (The same volume contained a poem by Southey on Brough Bells.) It next found a place in "Poems chiefly of Early and Late Years" (1842). A stanza given in The Tribute, No. 2 (see below),was omitted afterwards.--ED.

Lo! where the Moon along the sky

Sails with her happy destiny;[164]

Oft is she hid from mortal eye

Or dimly seen,

But when the clouds asunder fly

How bright her mien![165]

Far different we--a froward race,[166]

Thousands though rich in Fortune's grace

With cherished sullenness of pace

Their way pursue,

Ingrates who wear a smileless face

The whole year through.

If kindred humours e'er would make[167]

My spirit droop for drooping's sake,

From Fancy following in thy wake,

Bright ship of heaven!

A counter impulse let me take

And be forgiven.[168]

[164] 1842.

The moon that sails along the sky

Moves with a happy destiny,

1837.

[165] 1837.

Not flagging when the winds all sleep,

Not hurried onward, when they sweep

The bosom of th' ethereal deep,

Not turned aside,

She knows an even course to keep,

Whate'er betide.

In the text of 1837 only.

[166] 1842.

Perverse are we--a froward race;

1837.

[167] 1842.

If kindred humour e'er should make

1837.

[168] Compare the poem To the Daisy (1802), beginning--

Bright Flower! whose home is everywhere.

ED.