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Yet, whate’er enjoyments
dwell 95
In the impenetrable cell
Of the silent heart which Nature
Furnishes to every creature;
Whatsoe’er we feel and know
Too sedate for outward show,
100
Such a light of gladness breaks,
Pretty Kitten! from thy freaks,—
Spreads with such a living grace
O’er my little Dora’s [10]
face;
Yes, the sight so stirs and charms
105
Thee, Baby, laughing in my arms,
That almost I could repine
That your transports are not mine,
That I do not wholly fare
Even as ye do, thoughtless pair! [11]
110
And I will have my careless season
Spite of melancholy reason, [12]
Will walk through life in such a way
That, when time brings on decay,
Now and then I may possess
115
Hours of perfect gladsomeness. [13]
—Pleased by any random toy;
By a kitten’s busy joy,
Or an infant’s laughing eye
Sharing in the ecstasy;
120
I would fare like that or this,
Find my wisdom in my bliss;
Keep the sprightly soul awake,
And have faculties to take,
Even from things [14] by sorrow wrought,
125
Matter for a jocund thought,
Spite of care, and spite of grief,
To gambol with Life’s falling Leaf.
* * * * *
[Variant 1:
... Darling, ... Ms.]
[Variant 2:
... silent ... Ms.]
[Variant 3:
Knows not what she would be at,
Now on this side, now on that.
Ms.]
[Variant 4:
One for me, too, as is meet. Ms.]
[Variant 5:
1815.
... or ... 1807.]
[Variant 6:
... busy ... Ms.]
[Variant 7:
1836,
Hung with head towards the ground, 1807.]
[Variant 8:
... and ... Ms.]
[Variant 9:
1836.
... glitters ... 1807.]
[Variant 10:
1849.
Laura’s [a] 1807]
[Variant 11: Additional lines:
But I’ll take a hint from you,
And to pleasure will be true,
Ms.]
[Variant 12:
Be it songs of endless Spring
Which the frolic Muses sing,
Jest, and Mirth’s unruly brood
Dancing to the Phrygian mood;
Be it love, or be it wine,
Myrtle wreath, or ivy twine,
Or a garland made of both;
Whether then Philosophy
That would fill us full of glee
Seeing that our breath we draw
Under an unbending law,
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