SONG FOR THE SPINNING WHEEL
Reading edition
FOUNDED UPON A BELIEF PREVALENT AMONG THE PASTORAL VALES OF WESTMORELAND
Composed 1812.—Published 1820
[The belief on which this is founded I have often heard expressed by an old neighbour of Grasmere.—I. F.]
One of the "Poems of the Fancy."—Ed.
Swiftly turn the murmuring wheel! Night has brought the welcome hour, When the weary fingers feel Help, as if from faery power; Dewy night o'ershades the ground; 5 Turn the swift wheel round and round! Now, beneath the starry sky, Couch[1] the widely-scattered sheep;— Ply the pleasant labour, ply! For the spindle, while they sleep, 10 Runs with speed more smooth and fine, Gathering[2] up a trustier line. Short-lived likings may be bred By a glance from fickle eyes; But true love is like the thread 15 Which the kindly wool supplies, When the flocks are all at rest Sleeping on the mountain's breast.
It was for Sarah Hutchinson that this Song was written. She lived, for the most part, either at Brinsop Court Herefordshire, or at Rydal Mount Westmoreland, or at Greta Hall Keswick. When living at Greta Hall, she acted as Southey's amanuensis. She also frequently transcribed poems for Wordsworth, at Grasmere, Coleorton, and Rydal Mount.
Compare the sonnet addressed To S. H. in the "Miscellaneous Sonnets," I. xx.—Ed.
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