And is this—Yarrow?—This the streamOf which my fancy cherished,So faithfully, a waking dream?An image that hath perished!O that some Minstrel's harp were near,To utter notes of gladness,And chase this silence from the air,That fills my heart with sadness! Yet why?—a silvery current flowsWith uncontrolled meanderings;Nor have these eyes by greener hillsBeen soothed, in all my wanderings.And, … Continue reading Poem – “Yarrow Visited”
Wiliam Wordsworth
Poetry – “She Was a Phantom of Delight”
She was a Phantom of delightWhen first she gleamed upon my sight;A lovely Apparition, sentTo be a moment's ornament;Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair;Like Twilight's, too, her dusky hair;But all things else about her drawnFrom May-time and the cheerful Dawn;A dancing Shape, an Image gay,To haunt, to startle, and way-lay. I saw her upon … Continue reading Poetry – “She Was a Phantom of Delight”
Poem – “On the Lake of Brientz”
"What know we of the Blest aboveBut that they sing and that they love?"Yet, if they ever did inspireA mortal hymn, or shaped the choir,Now, where those harvest Damsels floatHomeward in their rugged Boat,(While all the ruffling winds are fled,Each slumbering on some mountain's head,)Now, surely, hath that gracious aidBeen felt, that influence is displayed.Pupils … Continue reading Poem – “On the Lake of Brientz”
Poem – “Character of the Happy Warrior”
Who is the happy Warrior? Who is heThat every man in arms should wish to be?—It is the generous Spirit, who, when broughtAmong the tasks of real life, hath wroughtUpon the plan that pleased his boyish thought:Whose high endeavours are an inward lightThat makes the path before him always bright;Who, with a natural instinct to … Continue reading Poem – “Character of the Happy Warrior”
Poetry – “Ode to Duty”
Stern Daughter of the Voice of God!O Duty! if that name thou loveWho art a Light to guide, a RodTo check the erring, and reprove;Thou who art victory and lawWhen empty terrors overawe;From vain temptations dost set free;And calm'st the weary strife of frail humanity! There are who ask not if thine eyeBe on them; … Continue reading Poetry – “Ode to Duty”
Poetry – “Surprised By Joy – Impatient as the Wind”
(This was in fact suggested by my daughter Catherine long after her death - Wordsworth) Surprised by joy - impatient as the windI turned to share the transport - Oh! with whomBut thee, deep buried in the silent tomb,That spot which no vicissitude can find?Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind -But how could … Continue reading Poetry – “Surprised By Joy – Impatient as the Wind”
Poetry – “On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic”
Once did She hold the gorgeous east in fee;And was the safeguard of the west: the worthOf Venice did not fall below her birth,Venice, the eldest Child of Liberty. She was a maiden City, bright and free;No guile seduced, no force could violate;And, when she took unto herself a Mate,She must espouse the everlasting Sea. … Continue reading Poetry – “On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic”
Serpent's Den 