Composed On A May Morning, 1838[182]

Composed 1838.--Published 1838

This was one of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”--ED.

Life with yon Lambs, like day, is just begun, Yet Nature seems to them a heavenly guide. Does joy approach? they meet the coming tide; And sullenness avoid, as now they shun Pale twilight’s lingering glooms,--and in the sun Couch near their dams, with quiet satisfied; Or gambol--each with his shadow at his side, Varying its shape wherever he may run. As they from turf yet hoar with sleepy dew All turn, and court the shining and the green, Where herbs look up, and opening flowers are seen; Why to God’s goodness cannot We be true, And so, His gifts and promises between, Feed to the last on pleasures ever new?

1845.

The title, in 1838, was “COMPOSED ON THE SAME MORNING”; referring to the previous sonnet in that edition, beginning--

If with old love of you, dear Hills! I share.

There were so many tentative efforts in the construction of this sonnet, and the one which follows it, that I feel justified in printing them from MS. sources.--ED.

1838.

Life with yon mountain lambs is just begun,

MS.

Yon mountain Lambs whose life is just begun Some guidance know to Man’s grave years denied.

MS.

Your lives, ye mountain lambs, tho’ just begun A guidance know to our best years denied.

MS. sent to Mr. Clarkson.

1838.

O that by Nature we were prompt the tide Of joy to meet, as {they} are who {now } shun {ye } {there}

MS. sent to Mr. Clarkson.

1838.

The lingering glooms of twilight, in the sun To couch, with sober quiet satisfied.

MS. sent to Mr. Clarkson.

… shun Hollows unbrightened by the {rising} sun {morning} On slopes to couch with quiet satisfied.

MS.

To couch on slopes where he his beams has tried, Sporting and running wheresoe’er ye run.

MS.

1838.

Couch near their dams; or frisk in sportive pride Each with his playful shadow at his side,

MS.

1838.

As they from turf hoary with unsunned dew Turn and do one and all prefer the green To chilly nooks, knolls cheered with glistening sheen, Why may not we a kindred course pursue And so, God’s …

MS.

… shun Hollows {enlivened } by the rising sun {unbrightened} On slopes to couch with quiet satisfied, Or gambol each, his shadow at his side, Running in sport wherever he may run. As from dull turf hoary with unsunned dew They turn, and one and all prefer the green To chilly nooks, knolls {warmed} with glistening sheen, {cheered} Why may not we a kindred course pursue And so, Heaven’s …

MS.

… shun The lingering gloom of twilight in the sun, To couch with sober quiet satisfied, Or gambol each, his shadow at his side, Varying its shape wherever he may run.

MS.

As they from turf with thick and sleepy dew {{Yet} whitened o’er, turn and} {{All} } prefer the green {Turn, and do one and all } To chilly nooks, {slopes} warm with glistening sheen, {knolls} Why may not we thro’ life such course pursue And so, God’s …

MS.

As they from turf with thick and sleepy dew Yet whitened o’er, turn and prefer the green; To chilly nooks, slopes warm with glistering sheen, Why may not we such course through life pursue, And so, God’s gifts and promises between, Feed …

MS.