Written In Her Album[8]

Composed 1834.--Published 1835

[This quatrain was extempore on observing this image, as I had often done, on the lawn of Rydal Mount. It was first written down in the Album of my God-daughter, Rotha Quillinan.--I.F.]

In 1837 this was one of the “Inscriptions.” In 1845 it was transferred to the “Miscellaneous Poems.”--ED.

Small service is true service while it lasts: Of humblest Friends, bright Creature! scorn not one! The Daisy, by the shadow that it casts, Protects the lingering dew-drop from the Sun.

The original title (1835) was “Written in an Album.” In 1837 it was “Written in the Album of a Child.” In 1845 the title was reconstructed as above.

1845.

Of Friends, however humble, scorn not one:

1835.

Compare the lines, written in 1845, beginning--

So fair, so sweet, withal so sensitive.

ED.