The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 4 (of 8)

"THOSE WORDS WERE UTTERED AS IN PENSIVE MOOD"

Reading edition

Composed 1806.—Published 1807

——"they are of the sky, And from our earthly memory fade away."[A]

Placed among the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."—Ed.

Those[1] words were uttered as in pensive mood[2] We turned, departing from[3] that solemn sight: A contrast and reproach to[4] gross delight, And life's unspiritual pleasures daily wooed! But now upon this thought I cannot brood; 5 It is unstable as a dream of night;[5] Nor will I praise a cloud, however bright, Disparaging Man's gifts, and proper food. Grove, isle, with every shape of sky-built dome,[6] Though clad in colours beautiful and pure, 10 Find in the heart of man no natural home: The immortal Mind craves objects that endure: These cleave to it; from these it cannot roam, Nor they from it: their fellowship is secure.

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FOOTNOTES:

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · See the sonnet Composed after a Journey across the Hambleton Hills, Yorkshire, vol. ii. p. 349.—Ed.Note 2 · 1838. These ... 1807.Note 3 · 1827. ... utter'd in a pensive mood. 1807.Note 4 · 1827. Even while mine eyes were on ... 1807. Mine eyes yet lingering on ... 1815.Note 5 · 1807. A silent counter part of ... MS.Note 6 · 1827. It is unstable, and deserts me quite; ... 1807.Note 7 · 1827. The Grove, the sky-built Temple, and the Dome, 1807.