Book 2 — LINES[315:1]
Reading edition
LINES[315:1]
WRITTEN IN THE ALBUM AT ELBINGERODE, IN THE HARTZ FOREST
I stood on Brocken's[315:2] sovran height, and saw Woods crowding upon woods, hills over hills, A surging scene, and only limited By the blue distance. Heavily my way Downward I dragged through fir groves evermore, 5 Where bright green moss heaves in sepulchral forms Speckled with sunshine; and, but seldom heard, The sweet bird's song became a hollow sound; And the breeze, murmuring indivisibly, Preserved its solemn murmur most distinct 10 From many a note of many a waterfall, And the brook's chatter; 'mid whose islet-stones The dingy kidling with its tinkling bell Leaped frolicsome, or old romantic goat Sat, his white beard slow waving. I moved on 15 In low and languid mood:[315:3] for I had found That outward forms, the loftiest, still receive Their finer influence from the Life within;— Fair cyphers else: fair, but of import vague Or unconcerning, where the heart not finds 20 History or prophecy of friend, or child, Or gentle maid, our first and early love, Or father, or the venerable name Of our adoréd country! O thou Queen, Thou delegated Deity of Earth, 25 O dear, dear England! how my longing eye Turned westward, shaping in the steady clouds Thy sands and high white cliffs! My native Land! Filled with the thought of thee this heart was proud, Yea, mine eye swam with tears: that all the view 30 From sovran Brocken, woods and woody hills, Floated away, like a departing dream, Feeble and dim! Stranger, these impulses Blame thou not lightly; nor will I profane, With hasty judgment or injurious doubt, 35 That man's sublimer spirit, who can feel That God is everywhere! the God who framed Mankind to be one mighty family, Himself our Father, and the World our Home.
May 17, 1799.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
[
3
]
surging] surging M. P.
[
4
]
Heavily] Wearily MS. Letter.
[
6
]
heaves] mov'd MS. Letter.
[
8
]
a] an all editions to 1834.
[
9
]
breeze] gale MS. Letter.
[
11
]
waterfall] waterbreak MS. Letter.
[
12
]
'mid] on MS. Letter.
[
16
]
With low and languid thought, for I had found MS. Letter.
[
17
]
That grandest scenes have but imperfect charms MS. Letter, M. P., An. Anth.
[
18
]
Where the eye vainly wanders nor beholds
MS. Letter.
Where the sight, &c.
M. P., An. Anth.
[
19
]
One spot with which the heart associates MS. Letter, M. P., An. Anth.
[
19-21
]
Fair cyphers of vague import, where the Eye Traces no spot, in which the Heart may read History or Prophecy
S. L. 1817, 1828.
[
20
]
Holy Remembrances of Child or Friend
MS. Letter.
Holy Remembrances of Friend or Child
M. P., An. Anth.
[
26
]
eye] eyes MS. Letter.
[
28-30
]
Sweet native Isle This heart was proud, yea mine eyes swam with tears To think of thee: and all the goodly view
MS. Letter.
[
28
]
O native land M. P., An. Anth.
[
34
]
I] I MS. Letter.
[
38
]
family] brother-hood MS. Letter.