Book 2 — VII[84:1]
Reading edition
VII[84:1]
TO THE REV. W. L. BOWLES[84:2]
[FIRST VERSION, PRINTED IN 'MORNING CHRONICLE', DECEMBER 26, 1794]
My heart has thank'd thee, Bowles! for those soft strains, That, on the still air floating, tremblingly Wak'd in me Fancy, Love, and Sympathy! For hence, not callous to a Brother's pains Thro' Youth's gay prime and thornless paths I went; 5 And, when the darker day of life began, And I did roam, a thought-bewilder'd man! Thy kindred Lays an healing solace lent, Each lonely pang with dreamy joys combin'd, And stole from vain Regret her scorpion stings; 10 While shadowy Pleasure, with mysterious wings, Brooded the wavy and tumultuous mind, Like that great Spirit, who with plastic sweep Mov'd on the darkness of the formless Deep!
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
[
3
]
Wak'd] Woke MS. Letter, Dec. 11, 1794.
[SECOND VERSION][85:1]
My heart has thank'd thee, Bowles! for those soft strains Whose sadness soothes me, like the murmuring Of wild-bees in the sunny showers of spring! For hence not callous to the mourner's pains Through Youth's gay prime and thornless paths I went: 5 And when the mightier Throes of mind began, And drove me forth, a thought-bewilder'd man, Their mild and manliest melancholy lent A mingled charm, such as the pang consign'd To slumber, though the big tear it renew'd; 10 Bidding a strange mysterious Pleasure brood Over the wavy and tumultuous mind, As the great Spirit erst with plastic sweep Mov'd on the darkness of the unform'd deep.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
Title] Effusion i. 1796: Sonnet i. 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829, 1834.
[
6-7
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And when the darker day of life began And I did roam, &c.
1796, 1797, 1803.
[
9
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such as] which oft 1797, 1803.
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11
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a] such 1797, 1803.
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13-14
]
As made the soul enamour'd of her woe: No common praise, dear Bard! to thee I owe.
1797, 1803.