The more I reflect upon this, the more I feel justified in attaching comparatively small importance to any literary monument that I may be enabled to leave behind.  It is well however, I am convinced, that men think otherwise in the earlier part of their lives....”

It may be mentioned that in his note to the “Poems, chiefly of Early and Late Years,” (1842), Wordsworth does not quote from the text of his sister’s Journal,—­which was first published in 1875,—­but from some other copy of it.—­Ed.

* * * * *

TO THE SONS OF BURNS, AFTER VISITING THE GRAVE OF THEIR FATHER [A]

Composed before 1807 [B]—­Published 1807

The Poet’s grave is in a corner of the church-yard.  We looked at it with melancholy and painful reflections, repeating to each other his own verses: 

  ‘Is there a man whose judgment clear, etc.’

’Extract from the Journal of my Fellow-Traveller.’—­W.  W. 1827. [C]

One of the “Poems of Sentiment and Reflection” in the 1815 and 1820 editions.—­Ed.

  ’Mid crowded obelisks and urns
  I sought the untimely grave of Burns;
  Sons of the Bard, my heart still mourns
      With sorrow true;
  And more would grieve, but that it turns 5
      Trembling to you!

  Through twilight shades of good and ill
  Ye now are panting up life’s hill, [1]
  And more than common strength and skill
      Must ye display; 10
  If ye would give the better will
      Its lawful sway.

  Hath Nature strung your nerves to bear
  Intemperance with less harm, beware! 
  But if the Poet’s wit ye share, 15
      Like him can speed
  The social hour—­of tenfold care [2]
      There will be need;

  For honest men delight will take
  To spare your failings for his sake, 20
  Will flatter you,—­and fool and rake [3]
      Your steps pursue;
  And of your Father’s name will make
      A snare for you.

  Far from their noisy haunts retire, 25
  And add your voices to the quire
  That sanctify the cottage fire
      With service meet;
  There seek the genius of your Sire,
      His spirit greet; 30

  Or where,’mid “lonely heights and hows,” [D]
  He paid to Nature tuneful vows;
  Or wiped his honourable brows
      Bedewed with toil,
  While reapers strove, or busy ploughs 35
      Upturned the soil;

  His judgment with benignant ray
  Shall guide, his fancy cheer, your way;
  But ne’er to a seductive lay
      Let faith be given; 40
  Nor deem that “light which leads astray,
      Is light from Heaven.” [E]