THE WISHING-GATE Softly she treads, as if her foot were loth To crush the mountain dew-drops-soon to melt That flowers themselves, whate'er their hue, And though for bridal wreaths and tokens true Which the careless shepherd sleeps on, As fitly spring from turf the mourner weeps on— 189 205 And without wrong are cropped the marble tomb to strew. The Charm is over; * the mute Phantoms gone, 211 215 From these wild rocks thy footsteps I will guide The Triad was first published in The Keepsake, in 1829, and next in the 1832 edition of the Poems. See the criticism passed upon it by one of the three described, viz., Sara Coleridge, in her Memoirs, vol. ii. pp. 409-10. Of this poem Mr. Aubrey de Vere writes, "perhaps the most accomplished of Wordsworth's works, and the most unlike his earlier manner."-ED. THE WISHING-GATE Composed 1828.-Published 1829 [Written at Rydal Mount. See also Wishing-gate Destroyed.-I. F.] In the vale of Grasmere, by the side of the old high-way * Compare in The Wishing-Gate Destroyed, stanza 4 leading to Ambleside, is a gate, which, time out of mind, has been called the Wishing-gate, from a belief that wishes formed or indulged there have a favourable issue.-W. W. 1828.* One of the "Poems of the Imagination."-ED. HOPE rules a land for ever green : All powers that serve the bright-eyed Queen Clouds at her bidding disappear; Points she to aught ?-the bliss draws near, Not such the land of Wishes-there And thoughts with things at strife; When magic lore abjured its might, One tender claim abate; Inquire not if the faery race Ere northward they retired; If here a warrior left a spell, 5 ΙΟ 15 20 * Having been told, upon what I thought good authority, that this gate had been destroyed, and the opening where it hung walled up, I gave vent immediately to my feelings in these stanzas. But going to the place some time after, I found, with much delight, my old favourite unmolested.W. W. 1832. "The same triumphant power attributed to the Wishing-gate is fancifully attributed to an image of St. Bridget in the ruined Franciscan convent at Adare." (Mr. Aubrey de Vere.) 1 1832. THE WISHING-GATE Enough that all around is fair, And in her fondest love- The selfish to reprove. Yea! 1 even the Stranger from afar, Then why should conscious Spirits fear The ancient faith disclaim? Smile if thou wilt, but not in scorn, If some have thirsted to renew And not in vain, when thoughts are cast Some Penitent sincere May for a worthier future sigh, While trickles from his downcast eye No unavailing tear. Yes! even 1829. 191 25 30 35 40 45 50 The Worldling, pining to be freed The current of his fate, Might stop before this favoured scene, The Sage, who feels how blind, how weak And thirst for insight to allay Or when the church-clock's knell profound * Of midnight makes reply; Time pressing on with starry crest, To filial sleep upon the breast Of dread eternity. 55 бо 65 70 The Wishing-gate was first published in The Keepsake in 1829, and next in the 1832 edition of the Poems.-ED. THE WISHING-GATE DESTROYED Composed 1828.-Published 1842 One of the "Poems of the Imagination."-ED. 'TIS gone-with old belief and dream And yearn 1829. * Grasmere Church.-ED. THE WISHING-GATE DESTROYED And the bright landscape too must lie, Relentlessly shut out. Bear witness ye who seldom passed What spirit-stirring power it gained Blest is that ground, where, o'er the springs Fame sheds the exulting tear; Yet earth is wide, and many a nook It was in sooth a happy thought So confident a token Of coming good ;—the charm is fled ; Which one harsh day has broken. Alas! for him who gave the word Derived from earth or heaven, Which here was freely given? Where, for the love-lorn maiden's wound, A balm of expectation? 193 5 ΙΟ 15 20 25 30 Anxious for far-off children, where Shall mothers breathe a like sweet air 35 Of home-felt consolation? VOL. VII |