Those Words Were Uttered As In Pensive Mood

Composed 1806.--Published 1807

----"they are of the sky, And from our earthly memory fade away."[A]

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

Those words were uttered as in pensive mood We turned, departing from that solemn sight: A contrast and reproach to gross delight, And life's unspiritual pleasures daily wooed! But now upon this thought I cannot brood; It is unstable as a dream of night; Nor will I praise a cloud, however bright, Disparaging Man's gifts, and proper food. Grove, isle, with every shape of sky-built dome, Though clad in colours beautiful and pure, Find in the heart of man no natural home: The immortal Mind craves objects that endure: These cleave to it; from these it cannot roam, Nor they from it: their fellowship is secure.

VARIANTS:

1838.

These ... 1807.

1827.

... utter'd in a pensive mood. 1807.

1827.

Even while mine eyes were on ... 1807.

Mine eyes yet lingering on ... 1815.

1807.

A silent counter part of ... MS.

1827.

It is unstable, and deserts me quite; 1807.

1827.

The Grove, the sky-built Temple, and the Dome, 1807.