Volume 8 — 1840
Reading edition
ON A PORTRAIT OF I.F., PAINTED BY MARGARET GILLIES[410]
Composed 1840.—Published 1850
We gaze—nor grieve to think that we must die, But that the precious love this friend hath sown Within our hearts, the love whose flower hath blown Bright as if heaven were ever in its eye, Will pass so soon from human memory; 5 And not by strangers to our blood alone, But by our best descendants be unknown, Unthought of—this may surely claim a sigh. Yet, blessèd Art, we yield not to dejection: Thou against Time so feelingly dost strive; 10 Where’er, preserved in this most true reflection, An image of her soul is kept alive, Some lingering fragrance of the pure affection, Whose flower with us will vanish, must survive. William Wordsworth. Rydal Mount, New Year’s Day, 1840.
TO I.F.[411]
Composed 1840.—Published 1850
The star which comes at close of day to shine More heavenly bright than when it leads the morn, Is friendship’s emblem,[412] whether the forlorn She visiteth, or, shedding light benign Through shades that solemnize Life’s calm decline, 5 Doth make the happy happier. This have we Learnt, Isabel, from thy society, Which now we too unwillingly resign Though for brief absence. But farewell! the page Glimmers before my sight through thankful tears, 10 Such as start forth, not seldom, to approve Our truth, when we, old yet unchill’d by age, Call thee, though known but for a few fleet years, The heart-affianced sister of our love! William Wordsworth. Rydal Mount, Feb. 1840.
“OH BOUNTY WITHOUT MEASURE, WHILE THE GRACE”
In his copy of the edition of 1845 at the close of the poem, Animal Tranquillity and Decay (1798) (see the “Poem referring to the Period of Old Age,” vol. i. p. 307), Henry Crabb Robinson wrote the following lines, sent to him by Wordsworth.—Ed.
Oh Bounty without measure, while the Grace Of Heaven doth in such wise from humblest springs Pour pleasures forth, and solaces that trace A mazy course along familiar things, Well may our hearts have faith that blessings come 5 Streaming from points above the starry sky, With angels, when their own untroubled home They leave, and speed on mighty embassy To visit earthly chambers,—and for whom? Yea, both for souls who God’s forbearance try, 10 And those that seek his help and for his mercy sigh. 7th April 1840. My 70th Birthday. W.W.