“Ah! If I Were A Lady Gay”

The following two stanzas were added by Wordsworth to his sister’s poem, entitled The Cottager to her Infant--composed in 1805, and issued in 1815 (see vol. iii. pp. 74, 75); but they were never published in Wordsworth’s lifetime.--ED.

Ah! if I were a lady gay I should not grieve with thee to play; Right gladly would I lie awake Thy lively spirits to partake, And ask no better cheer.

But, Babe! there’s none to work for me, And I must rise to industry; Soon as the cock begins to crow Thy mother to the fold must go To tend the sheep and kine.

1806