Volume 2 — To a Young Lady, who had been Reproached for taking Long Walks in the CountryA

To a Young Lady, who had been Reproached for taking Long Walks in the Country^A

Composed 1802.—Published 1807

The Poem

[Composed at the same time and on the same view as "I met Louisa in the shade:" indeed they were designed to make one piece.—I. F.]

From 1815 to 1832 this was classed among the "Poems proceeding from Sentiment and Reflection." In 1836 it was transferred to the group of "Poems of the Imagination."—Ed.

The Poem

text variant footnote line number

Dear Child of Nature, let them rail! —There is a nest in a green dale, A harbour and a hold; Where thou, a Wife and Friend, shalt see Thy own heart-stirring days, and be A light to young and old. There, healthy as a shepherd boy, And treading among flowers of joy Which at no season fade, Thou, while thy babes around thee cling, Shalt show us how divine a thing A Woman may be made. Thy thoughts and feelings shall not die, Nor leave thee, when grey hairs are nigh A melancholy slave; But an old age serene and bright, And lovely as a Lapland night, Shall lead thee to thy grave. Note Contents 1802 Main Contents 1 2 3 5 10 15

Variant 1:

1836

Thy own delightful days, ... 1802

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Variant 2:

1836

As if thy heritage were joy, And pleasure were thy trade. 1802

And treading among flowers of joy, That at no season fade, 1827

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Variant 3:

1815

... alive ... 1802

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Footnote A:

For the original title of this poem,—as published in The Morning Post and Gazetteer,—see the note to the previous poem. When first published it was unsigned.—Ed.

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Note:

See the editorial note to the preceding poem.—Ed.

Contents 1802 Main Contents