THOUGHTS ON THE SEASONS 229 THOUGHTS ON THE SEASONS Composed 1829.-Published 1835 [Written at Rydal Mount.-I. F.] One of the "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection."-ED. FLATTERED with promise of escape From every hurtful blast, Spring takes, O sprightly May! thy shape, Less fair is summer riding high In fierce solstitial power, Less fair than when a lenient sky When earth repays with golden sheaves And ripening fruits and forest leaves All brighten on the bough; What pensive beauty autumn shows, Before she hears the sound Of winter rushing in, to close The emblematic round! Such be our Spring, our Summer such; 5 ΙΟ 15 With hoary Winter, and Life touch, 20 1 1850. THOUGHT 1835. The text of 1857 returns to that of 1835. *Compare Ode, composed on May Morning, 1826 (p. 146); also To May, 1826 (p. 148).-ED. A TRADITION OF OKER HILL IN DARLEY DALE, DERBYSHIRE 1 Composed 1829.-Published 1829* [This pleasing tradition was told me by the coachman at whose side I sate while he drove down the dale, he pointing to the trees on the hill as he related the story.-I. F.] One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."-ED. 'TIS said that to the brow of yon fair hill 1 Their courses, like two new-born rivers, they Down from the far-seen mount. No blast might kill That to itself takes all, Eternity. 1837. A TRADITION OF DARLEY DALE, DERBYSHIRE. 1832. * In The Keepsake.-ED. 5 10 Mr. T. W. Shore (Southampton), writes to me: "The two trees referred to by the poet are still on the hill, and called the Shore Trees. The family of Shore is an ancient one in Derbyshire, extending back to the reign of Richard II. In the time of Charles I. several members of the family impoverished themselves in support of the Royalist cause. . . . The trees on Oker Hill are supposed to have been planted by those who remembered the family misfortunes, or who succeeded the family which took part in the 17th century struggle."-ED. FILIAL PIETY 231 FILIAL PIETY (ON THE WAYSIDE BETWEEN PRESTON AND LIVERPOOL) Composed 1829 (probably).—Published 1832 [This was also communicated to me by a coachman in the same way.* In the course of my many coach rambles and journeys, which, during the day-time always, and often in the night, were taken on the outside of the coach, I had good and frequent opportunities of learning the characteristics of this class One remark I made that is worth recording; that whenever I had occasion especially to notice their well-ordered, respectful and kind behaviour to women, of whatever age, I found them, I may say almost always, to be married men.-I. F.] of men. This happened near Ormskirk. Thomas Scarisbrick was killed by a flash of lightning, whilst building a turf-stack in 1799. His son James completed the work, and kept it intact during his life-time. James was buried April 21st, 1824. Wordsworth was therefore wrong as to the "fifty winters."—ED. One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."-ED. UNTOUCHED through all severity of cold Yes, Traveller! fifty winters have been told Since suddenly the dart of death went forth Upon his Father's memory, that his hands, 5 10 Its waste. Though crumbling with each breath of air, In annual renovation thus it stands Rude Mausoleum! but wrens nestle there, And red-breasts warble when sweet sounds are rare. 1 1837: Thence by his Son more prized than aught which gold 1832. * Compare the Fenwick note to A Tradition of Oker Hill in Darley Dale, Derbyshire, p. 230.-ED. 1830 THE Poems written in 1830 include, The Armenian Lady's Love, The Russian Fugitive, The Egyptian Maid, the Elegiac Stanzas on Sir George Beaumont, and several minor pieces.—ED. THE ARMENIAN LADY'S LOVE Composed 1830.-Published 1835 The subject of the following poem is from the Orlandus of the author's friend, Kenelm Henry Digby: and the liberty is taken of inscribing it to him as an acknowledgment, however unworthy, of pleasure and instruction derived from his numerous and valuable writings, illustrative of the piety and chivalry of the olden time.-W. W. [Written at Rydal Mount.-I. F.] One of the "Poems founded on the Affections."— ED. I You have heard "a Spanish Lady Daughter of the proud Soldàn; How she loved a Christian Slave, and told her pain By word, look, deed, with hope that he might love again. * 5 See, in Percy's Reliques, that fine old ballad, "The Spanish Lady's Love;" from which Poem the form of stanza, as suitable to dialogue, is adopted.-W. W. 1835. THE ARMENIAN LADY'S LOVE 233 II "Pluck that rose, it moves my liking," Said she, lifting up her veil; Ere it wither and grow pale." ΙΟ "Princess fair, I till the ground, but may not take From twig or bed an humbler flower, even for your sake!" III "Grieved am I, submissive Christian! To behold thy captive state; Women, in your land, may pity (May they not?) the unfortunate." "Yes, kind Lady! otherwise man could not bear Life, which to every one that breathes is full of care." IV "Worse than idle is compassion If it end in tears and sighs; And from vile indignities; Nurtured, as thy mien bespeaks, in high degree, 15 20 V "Lady! dread the wish, nor venture In such peril to engage; Think how it would stir against you Your most loving father's rage: Sad deliverance would it be, and yoked with shame, 25 . Should troubles overflow on her from whom it came." 30 VI "Generous Frank! the just in effort Are of inward peace secure : |