This Island, guarded from profane approach By mountains high and waters widely spread, Gave to St. Herbert a benign retreat.  Upon a staff supported, and his Brow White with the peaceful diadem of age.  Hither he came—­a self-secluded Man, ...  Behold that shapeless Heap of stones and earth!  “Tis reverenced as a Vestige of the Abode ... ...—­And when within his Cell Alone he knelt before the crucifix,

In a previous letter to Sir George Beaumont, dated 16th November 1811: 

By mountains high and waters widely spread, Is that Seclusion which St. Herbert chose; ...  Hither he came in life’s austere decline:  And, Stranger! this blank Heap of stones and earth Is reverenced ...

Ed.

* * * * *

WRITTEN WITH A PENCIL UPON A STONE IN THE WALL OF THE HOUSE (AN OUT-HOUSE), ON THE ISLAND AT GRASMERE [A]

Composed 1800.—­Published 1800

Included among the “Inscriptions.”—­Ed.

  Rude is this Edifice, and Thou hast seen
  Buildings, albeit rude, that have maintained
  Proportions more harmonious, and approached
  To closer fellowship with ideal grace. 
  But take it in good part:—­alas! the poor [1] 5
  Vitruvius of our village had no help
  From the great City; never, upon leaves [2]
  Of red Morocco folio saw displayed,
  In long succession, pre-existing ghosts [3]
  Of Beauties yet unborn—­the rustic Lodge 10
  Antique, and Cottage with verandah graced,
  Nor lacking, for fit company, alcove,
  Green-house, shell-grot, and moss-lined hermitage. [4]
  Thou see’st a homely Pile, [5] yet to these walls
  The heifer comes in the snow-storm, and here 15
  The new-dropped lamb finds shelter from the wind. 
  And hither does one Poet sometimes row
  His pinnace, a small vagrant barge, up-piled
  With plenteous store of heath and withered fern,
  (A lading which he with his sickle cuts, 20
  Among the mountains) and beneath this roof
  He makes his summer couch, and here at noon
  Spreads out his limbs, while, yet unshorn, the Sheep,
  Panting beneath the burthen of their wool,
  Lie round him, even as if they were a part 25
  Of his own Household:  nor, while from his bed
  He looks, through the open door-place, [6] toward the lake
  And to the stirring breezes, does he want
  Creations lovely as the work of sleep—­
  Fair sights, and visions of romantic joy! 30

* * * * *

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1: 

1837.

... and approach’d To somewhat of a closer fellowship With the ideal grace.  Yet as it is Do take it in good part; for he, the poor 1800.

  ... alas! the poor 1815.]