Admonition

Intended more particularly for the perusal of those who may have happened to be enamoured of some beautiful place of Retreat, in the Country of the Lakes.

Composed 1806.--Published 1807

Classed among the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED.

Well may'st thou halt--and gaze with brightening eye! The lovely Cottage in the guardian nook Hath stirred thee deeply; with its own dear brook, Its own small pasture, almost its own sky![A] But covet not the Abode;--forbear to sigh, As many do, repining while they look; Intruders--who would tear from Nature's book This precious leaf, with harsh impiety. Think what the Home must be if it were thine, Even thine, though few thy wants!--Roof, window, door, The very flowers are sacred to the Poor, The roses to the porch which they entwine: Yea, all, that now enchants thee, from the day On which it should be touched, would melt away.

The cottage at Town-end, Grasmere--where this sonnet was composed--may have suggested it. Some of the details, however, are scarcely applicable to Dove Cottage; the "brook" (referred to elsewhere) is outside the orchard ground, and there is scarcely anything in the garden to warrant the phrase, "its own small pasture." It is unnecessary to localise the allusions.--ED.

VARIANTS:

1837.

Yes, there is holy pleasure in thine eye! 1807.

1827.

... oh! do not sigh, 1807.

1827.

Sighing a wish to tear ... 1807.

1827.

This blissful leaf, with worst impiety. 1807.

... with harsh impiety. 1815.

1827.

... would ... 1807.

1838.

... would melt, and melt away! 1807.