Guilt And Sorrow Or Incidents Upon Salisbury Plain Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BCBCCDCDD A EFGFHIJII A KALAAMLMM A NLNLLBLBB A OPOQQDQDD A LRLSTURUU A VWVWWLWLL A XYXYYGZGG V AA2AA2A2AA2AA V ABABBUBUU A VB2VB2B2C2D2C2C2 V E2A2E2A2A2F2A2F2F2 V F2VF2VVF2VF2F2 A G2LG2LLH2LBB A I2C2I2C2C2F2C2F2F2 A J2K2J2L2L2F2L2F2F2 A VF2VF2F2BF2BB A F2VF2VVVVVV V K2F2L2F2F2M2F2M2M2 V F2F2F2F2F2VF2VV V F2F2F2F2F2A2F2A2A2 V F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2 V N2F2N2F2F2F2F2F2F2 A QO2QO2O2F2O2F2F2 A LLLLLF2LF2F2 A A2UA2UUA2UA2A2 A LF2LF2F2VF2VV A A2UA2UULULL U P2F2Q2F2F2F2F2F2F2 U F2F2F2F2F2R2F2R2R2 U K2BK2BBABAA U LF2LF2F2AF2AA U F2G2F2G2G2UG2UU A P2LP2LLF2LF2F2 A QF2QF2F2F2F2F2F2 A F2AF2AALALL A QF2QF2F2F2F2F2F2 A QF2QF2F2LF2LL U UA2UA2A2F2A2F2F2 A F2F2F2F2F2S2F2S2K2 A A2F2A2F2F2 F2F2F2 A F2A2F2A2A2A2A2A2A2 A F2F2F2F2F2AF2AA A QLQLLF2LF2F2 A UF2UF2F2F2F2F2F2 A LLLLLQLQQ A A2T2A2T2T2AU2AA A F2QF2QQF2QF2F2 U UF2UF2F2V2F2V2V2 A F2F2F2F2F2UF2UU L F2AUAAF2AF2F2 A F2C2F2C2C2F2C2F2F2 A AAAAUF2AF2F2 A AF2AF2F2QF2QQ A F2F2F2F2F2QF2QQ A UF2UF2F2A2F2A2A2 A AUAUUUUUU A A2QA2QQUQUU U F2AF2AAF2AF2F2 U F2UF2UUF2UF2F2 U F2QF2QQF2QF2F2 U QLQLLF2LF2F2 U QF2QF2F2QF2QQ A F2F2F2F2F2LF2LL F2 LW2LW2W2QX2QQ F2 UA2UA2A2UA2UU F2 UF2UF2F2F2F2F2F2 F2 F2F2F2F2F2QF2QQ F2 Y2F2Y2F2F2F2F2F2F2 F2 F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2 F2 F2A2F2A2A2F2A2F2F2 F2 F2LF2LLF2LF2F2 F2 F2F2F2F2F2UF2UU F2 F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2

I	A
	-
A Traveler on the skirt of Sarum's Plain	B
Pursued his vagrant way with feet half bare	C
Stooping his gait but not as if to gain	B
Help from the staff he bore for mien and air	C
Were hardy though his cheek seemed worn with care	C
Both of the time to come and time long fled	D
Down fell in straggling locks his thin grey hair	C
A coat he wore of military red	D
But faded and stuck o'er with many a patch and shred	D
	-
II	A
	-
While thus he journeyed step by step led on	E
He saw and passed a stately inn full sure	F
That welcome in such house for him was none	G
No board inscribed the needy to allure	F
Hung there no bush proclaimed to old and poor	H
And desolate Here you will find a friend	I
The pendent grapes glittered above the door	J
On he must pace perchance 'till night descend	I
Where'er the dreary roads their bare white lines extend	I
	-
III	A
	-
The gathering clouds grow red with stormy fire	K
In streaks diverging wide and mounting high	A
That inn he long had passed the distant spire	L
Which oft as he looked back had fixed his eye	A
Was lost though still he looked in the blank sky	A
Perplexed and comfortless he gazed around	M
And scarce could any trace of man descry	L
Save cornfields stretched and stretching without bound	M
But where the sower dwelt was nowhere to be found	M
	-
IV	A
	-
No tree was there no meadow's pleasant green	N
No brook to wet his lip or soothe his ear	L
Long files of corn stacks here and there were seen	N
But not one dwelling place his heart to cheer	L
Some labourer thought he may perchance be near	L
And so he sent a feeble shout in vain	B
No voice made answer he could only hear	L
Winds rustling over plots of unripe grain	B
Or whistling thro' thin grass along the unfurrowed plain	B
	-
V	A
	-
Long had he fancied each successive slope	O
Concealed some cottage whither he might turn	P
And rest but now along heaven's darkening cope	O
The crows rushed by in eddies homeward borne	Q
Thus warned he sought some shepherd's spreading thorn	Q
Or hovel from the storm to shield his head	D
But sought in vain for now all wild forlorn	Q
And vacant a huge waste around him spread	D
The wet cold ground he feared must be his only bed	D
	-
VI	A
	-
And be it so for to the chill night shower	L
And the sharp wind his head he oft hath bared	R
A Sailor he who many a wretched hour	L
Hath told for landing after labour hard	S
Full long endured in hope of just reward	T
He to an armed fleet was forced away	U
By seamen who perhaps themselves had shared	R
Like fate was hurried off a helpless prey	U
'Gainst all that in 'his' heart or theirs perhaps said nay	U
	-
VII	A
	-
For years the work of carnage did not cease	V
And death's dire aspect daily he surveyed	W
Death's minister then came his glad release	V
And hope returned and pleasure fondly made	W
Her dwelling in his dreams By Fancy's aid	W
The happy husband flies his arms to throw	L
Round his wife's neck the prize of victory laid	W
In her full lap he sees such sweet tears flow	L
As if thenceforth nor pain nor trouble she could know	L
	-
VIII	A
	-
Vain hope for frand took all that he had earned	X
The lion roars and gluts his tawny brood	Y
Even in the desert's heart but he returned	X
Bears not to those he loves their needful food	Y
His home approaching but in such a mood	Y
That from his sight his children might have run	G
He met a traveller robbed him shed his blood	Z
And when the miserable work was done	G
He fled a vagrant since the murderer's fate to shun	G
	-
IX	V
	-
From that day forth no place to him could be	A
So lonely but that thence might come a pang	A2
Brought from without to inward misery	A
Now as he plodded on with sullen clang	A2
A sound of chains along the desert rang	A2
He looked and saw upon a gibbet high	A
A human body that in irons swang	A2
Uplifted by the tempest whirling by	A
And hovering round it often did a raven fly	A
	-
X	V
	-
It was a spectacle which none might view	A
In spot so savage but with shuddering pain	B
Nor only did for him at once renew	A
All he had feared from man but roused a train	B
Of the mind's phantoms horrible as vain	B
The stones as if to cover him from day	U
Rolled at his back along the living plain	B
He fell and without sense or motion lay	U
But when the trance was gone feebly pursued his way	U
	-
XI	A
	-
As one whose brain habitual phrensy fires	V
Owes to the fit in which his soul hath tossed	B2
Profounder quiet when the fit retires	V
Even so the dire phantasma which had crossed	B2
His sense in sudden vacancy quite lost	B2
Left his mind still as a deep evening stream	C2
Nor if accosted now in thought engrossed	D2
Moody or inly troubled would he seem	C2
To traveller who might talk of any casual theme	C2
	-
XII	V
	-
Hurtle the clouds in deeper darkness piled	E2
Gone is the raven timely rest to seek	A2
He seemed the only creature in the wild	E2
On whom the elements their rage might wreak	A2
Save that the bustard of those regions bleak	A2
Shy tenant seeing by the uncertain light	F2
A man there wandering gave a mournful shriek	A2
And half upon the ground with strange affright	F2
Forced hard against the wind a thick unwieldy flight	F2
	-
XIII	V
	-
All all was cheerless to the horizon's bound	F2
The weary eye which wheresoe'er it strays	V
Marks nothing but the red sun's setting round	F2
Or on the earth strange lines in former days	V
Left by gigantic arms at length surveys	V
What seems an antique castle spreading wide	F2
Hoary and naked are its walls and raise	V
Their brow sublime in shelter there to bide	F2
He turned while rain poured down smoking on every side	F2
	-
XIV	A
	-
Pile of Stone henge so proud to hint yet keep	G2
Thy secrets thou that lov'st to stand and hear	L
The Plain resounding to the whirlwind's sweep	G2
Inmate of lonesome Nature's endless year	L
Even if thou saw'st the giant wicker rear	L
For sacrifice its throngs of living men	H2
Before thy face did ever wretch appear	L
Who in his heart had groaned with deadlier pain	B
Than he who tempest driven thy shelter now would gain	B
	-
XV	A
	-
Within that fabric of mysterious form	I2
Winds met in conflict each by turns supreme	C2
And from the perilous ground dislodged through storm	I2
And rain he wildered on no moon to stream	C2
From gulf of parting clouds one friendly beam	C2
Nor any friendly sound his footsteps led	F2
Once did the lightning's faint disastrous gleam	C2
Disclose a naked guide post's double head	F2
Sight which tho' lost at once a gleam of pleasure shed	F2
	-
XVI	A
	-
No swinging sign board creaked from cottage elm	J2
To stay his steps with faintness overcome	K2
'Twas dark and void as ocean's watery realm	J2
Roaring with storms beneath night's starless gloom	L2
No gipsy cowered o'er fire of furze or broom	L2
No labourer watched his red kiln glaring bright	F2
Nor taper glimmered dim from sick man's room	L2
Along the waste no line of mournful light	F2
From lamp of lonely toll gate streamed athwart the night	F2
	-
XVII	A
	-
At length though hid in clouds the moon arose	V
The downs were visible and now revealed	F2
A structure stands which two bare slopes enclose	V
It was a spot where ancient vows fulfilled	F2
Kind pious hands did to the Virgin build	F2
A lonely Spital the belated swain	B
From the night terrors of that waste to shield	F2
But there no human being could remain	B
And now the walls are named the Dead House of the plain	B
	-
XVIII	A
	-
Though he had little cause to love the abode	F2
Of man or covet sight of mortal face	V
Yet when faint beams of light that ruin showed	F2
How glad he was at length to find some trace	V
Of human shelter in that dreary place	V
Till to his flock the early shepherd goes	V
Here shall much needed sleep his frame embrace	V
In a dry nook where fern the floor bestrows	V
He lays his stiffened limbs his eyes begin to close	V
	-
XIX	V
	-
When hearing a deep sigh that seemed to come	K2
From one who mourned in sleep he raised his head	F2
And saw a woman in the naked room	L2
Outstretched and turning on a restless bed	F2
The moon a wan dead light around her shed	F2
He waked her spake in tone that would not fail	M2
He hoped to calm her mind but ill he sped	F2
For of that ruin she had heard a tale	M2
Which now with freezing thoughts did all her powers assail	M2
	-
XX	V
	-
Had heard of one who forced from storms to shroud	F2
Felt the loose walls of this decayed Retreat	F2
Rock to incessant neighings shrill and loud	F2
While his horse pawed the floor with furious heat	F2
Till on a stone that sparkled to his feet	F2
Struck and still struck again the troubled horse	V
The man half raised the stone with pain and sweat	F2
Half raised for well his arm might lose its force	V
Disclosing the grim head of a late murdered corse	V
	-
XXI	V
	-
Such tale of this lone mansion she had learned	F2
And when that shape with eyes in sleep half drowned	F2
By the moon's sullen lamp she first discerned	F2
Cold stony horror all her senses bound	F2
Her he addressed in words of cheering sound	F2
Recovering heart like answer did she make	A2
And well it was that of the corse there found	F2
In converse that ensued she nothing spake	A2
She knew not what dire pangs in him such tale could wake	A2
	-
XXII	V
	-
But soon his voice and words of kind intent	F2
Banished that dismal thought and now the wind	F2
In fainter howlings told its 'rage' was spent	F2
Meanwhile discourse ensued of various kind	F2
Which by degrees a confidence of mind	F2
And mutual interest failed not to create	F2
And to a natural sympathy resigned	F2
In that forsaken building where they sate	F2
The Woman thus retraced her own untoward fate	F2
	-
XXIII	V
	-
By Derwent's side my father dwelt a man	N2
Of virtuous life by pious parents bred	F2
And I believe that soon as I began	N2
To lisp he made me kneel beside my bed	F2
And in his hearing there my prayers I said	F2
And afterwards by my good father taught	F2
I read and loved the books in which I read	F2
For books in every neighbouring house I sought	F2
And nothing to my mind a sweeter pleasure brought	F2
	-
XXIV	A
	-
A little croft we owned a plot of corn	Q
A garden stored with peas and mint and thyme	O2
And flowers for posies oft on Sunday morn	Q
Plucked while the church bells rang their earliest chime	O2
Can I forget our freaks at shearing time	O2
My hen's rich nest through long grass scarce espied	F2
The cowslip gathering in June's dewy prime	O2
The swans that with white chests upreared in pride	F2
Rushing and racing came to meet me at the water side	F2
	-
XXV	A
	-
The staff I well remember which upbore	L
The bending body of my active sire	L
His seat beneath the honied sycamore	L
Where the bees hummed and chair by winter fire	L
When market morning came the neat attire	L
With which though bent on haste myself I decked	F2
Our watchful house dog that would tease and tire	L
The stranger till its barking fit I checked	F2
The red breast known for years which at my casement pecked	F2
	-
XXVI	A
	-
The suns of twenty summers danced along	A2
Too little marked how fast they rolled away	U
But through severe mischance and cruel wrong	A2
My father's substance fell into decay	U
We toiled and struggled hoping for a day	U
When Fortune might put on a kinder look	A2
But vain were wishes efforts vain as they	U
He from his old hereditary nook	A2
Must part the summons came our final leave we took	A2
	-
XXVII	A
	-
It was indeed a miserable hour	L
When from the last hill top my sire surveyed	F2
Peering above the trees the steeple tower	L
That on his marriage day sweet music made	F2
Tilt then he hoped his bones might there be laid	F2
Close by my mother in their native bowers	V
Bidding me trust in God he stood and prayed	F2
I could not pray through tears that fell in showers	V
Glimmered our dear loved home alas no longer ours	V
	-
XXVIII	A
	-
There was a Youth whom I had loved so long	A2
That when I loved him not I cannot say	U
'Mid the green mountains many a thoughtless song	A2
We two had sung like gladsome birds in May	U
When we began to tire of childish play	U
We seemed still more and more to prize each other	L
We talked of marriage and our marriage day	U
And I in truth did love him like a brother	L
For never could I hope to meet with such another	L
	-
XXIX	U
	-
Two years were passed since to a distant town	P2
He had repaired to ply a gainful trade	F2
What tears of bitter grief till then unknown	Q2
What tender vows our last sad kiss delayed	F2
To him we turned we had no other aid	F2
Like one revived upon his neck I wept	F2
And her whom he had loved in joy he said	F2
He well could love in grief his faith he kept	F2
And in a quiet home once more my father slept	F2
	-
XXX	U
	-
We lived in peace and comfort and were blest	F2
With daily bread by constant toil supplied	F2
Three lovely babes had lain upon my breast	F2
And often viewing their sweet smiles I sighed	F2
And knew not why My happy father died	F2
When threatened war reduced the children's meal	R2
Thrice happy that for him the grave could hide	F2
The empty loom cold hearth and silent wheel	R2
And tears that flowed for ills which patience might not heal	R2
	-
XXXI	U
	-
'Twas a hard change an evil time was come	K2
We had no hope and no relief could gain	B
But soon with proud parade the noisy drum	K2
Beat round to clear the streets of want and pain	B
My husband's arms now only served to strain	B
Me and his children hungering in his view	A
In such dismay my prayers and tears were vain	B
To join those miserable men he flew	A
And now to the sea coast with numbers more we drew	A
	-
XXXII	U
	-
There were we long neglected and we bore	L
Much sorrow ere the fleet its anchor weighed	F2
Green fields before us and our native shore	L
We breathed a pestilential air that made	F2
Ravage for which no knell was heard We prayed	F2
For our departure wished and wished nor knew	A
'Mid that long sickness and those hopes delayed	F2
That happier days we never more must view	A
The parting signal streamed at last the land withdrew	A
	-
XXXIII	U
	-
But the calm summer season now was past	F2
On as we drove the equinoctial deep	G2
Ran mountains high before the howling blast	F2
And many perished in the whirlwind's sweep	G2
We gazed with terror on their gloomy sleep	G2
Untaught that soon such anguish must ensue	U
Our hopes such harvest of affliction reap	G2
That we the mercy of the waves should rue	U
We reached the western world a poor devoted crew	U
	-
XXXIV	A
	-
The pains and plagues that on our heads came down	P2
Disease and famine agony and fear	L
In wood or wilderness in camp or town	P2
It would unman the firmest heart to hear	L
All perished all in one remorseless year	L
Husband and children one by one by sword	F2
And ravenous plague all perished every tear	L
Dried up despairing desolate on board	F2
A British ship I waked as from a trance restored	F2
	-
XXXV	A
	-
Here paused she of all present thought forlorn	Q
Nor voice nor sound that moment's pain expressed	F2
Yet Nature with excess of grief o'erborne	Q
From her full eyes their watery load released	F2
He too was mute and ere her weeping ceased	F2
He rose and to the ruin's portal went	F2
And saw the dawn opening the silvery east	F2
With rays of promise north and southward sent	F2
And soon with crimson fire kindled the firmament	F2
	-
XXXVI	A
	-
O come he cried come after weary night	F2
Of such rough storm this happy change to view	A
So forth she came and eastward looked the sight	F2
Over her brow like dawn of gladness threw	A
Upon her cheek to which its youthful hue	A
Seemed to return dried the last lingering tear	L
And from her grateful heart a fresh one drew	A
The whilst her comrade to her pensive cheer	L
Tempered fit words of hope and the lark warbled near	L
	-
XXXVII	A
	-
They looked and saw a lengthening road and wain	Q
That rang down a bare slope not far remote	F2
The barrows glistered bright with drops of rain	Q
Whistled the waggoner with merry note	F2
The cock far off sounded his clarion throat	F2
But town or farm or hamlet none they viewed	F2
Only were told there stood a lonely cot	F2
A long mile thence While thither they pursued	F2
Their way the Woman thus her mournful tale renewed	F2
	-
XXXVIII	A
	-
Peaceful as this immeasurable plain	Q
Is now by beams of dawning light imprest	F2
In the calm sunshine slept the glittering main	Q
The very ocean hath its hour of rest	F2
I too forgot the heavings of my breast	F2
How quiet 'round me ship and ocean were	L
As quiet all within me I was blest	F2
And looked and fed upon the silent air	L
Until it seemed to bring a joy to my despair	L
	-
XXXIX	U
	-
Ah how unlike those late terrific sleeps	U
And groans that rage of racking famine spoke	A2
The unburied dead that lay in festering heaps	U
The breathing pestilence that rose like smoke	A2
The shriek that from the distant battle broke	A2
The mine's dire earthquake and the pallid host	F2
Driven by the bomb's incessant thunderstroke	A2
To loathsome vaults where heart sick anguish tossed	F2
Hope died and fear itself in agony was lost	F2
	-
XL	A
	-
Some mighty gulf of separation past	F2
I seemed transported to another world	F2
A thought resigned with pain when from the mast	F2
The impatient mariner the sail unfurled	F2
And whistling called the wind that hardly curled	F2
The silent sea From the sweet thoughts of home	S2
And from all hope I was for ever hurled	F2
For me farthest from earthly port to roam	S2
Was best could I but shun the spot where man might come	K2
	-
XLI	A
	-
And oft I thought my fancy was so strong	A2
That I at last a resting place had found	F2
'Here will I dwell ' said I 'my whole life long	A2
Roaming the illimitable waters round	F2
Here will I live of all but heaven disowned	F2
And end my days upon the peaceful flood '	-
To break my dream the vessel reached its bound	F2
And homeless near a thousand homes I stood	F2
And near a thousand tables pined and wanted food	F2
	-
XLII	A
	-
No help I sought in sorrow turned adrift	F2
Was hopeless as if cast on some bare rock	A2
Nor morsel to my mouth that day did lift	F2
Nor raised my hand at any door to knock	A2
I lay where with his drowsy mates the cock	A2
From the cross timber of an out house hung	A2
Dismally tolled that night the city clock	A2
At morn my sick heart hunger scarcely stung	A2
Nor to the beggar's language could I fit my tongue	A2
	-
XLIII	A
	-
So passed a second day and when the third	F2
Was come I tried in vain the crowd's resort	F2
In deep despair by frightful wishes stirred	F2
Near the sea side I reached a ruined fort	F2
There pains which nature could no more support	F2
With blindness linked did on my vitals fall	A
And after many interruptions short	F2
Of hideous sense I sank nor step could crawl	A
Unsought for was the help that did my life recall	A
	-
XLIV	A
	-
Borne to a hospital I lay with brain	Q
Drowsy and weak and shattered memory	L
I heard my neighbours in their beds complain	Q
Of many things which never troubled me	L
Of feet still bustling round with busy glee	L
Of looks where common kindness had no part	F2
Of service done with cold formality	L
Fretting the fever round the languid heart	F2
And groans which as they said might make a dead man start	F2
	-
XLV	A
	-
These things just served to stir the slumbering sense	U
Nor pain nor pity in my bosom raised	F2
With strength did memory return and thence	U
Dismissed again on open day I gazed	F2
At houses men and common light amazed	F2
The lanes I sought and as the sun retired	F2
Came where beneath the trees a faggot blazed	F2
The travellers saw me weep my fate inquired	F2
And gave me food and rest more welcome more desired	F2
	-
XLVI	A
	-
Rough potters seemed they trading soberly	L
With panniered asses driven from door to door	L
But life of happier sort set forth to me	L
And other joys my fancy to allure	L
The bag pipe dinning on the midnight moor	L
In barn uplighted and companions boon	Q
Well met from far with revelry secure	L
Among the forest glades while jocund June	Q
Rolled fast along the sky his warm and genial moon	Q
	-
XLVII	A
	-
But ill they suited me those journeys dark	A2
O'er moor and mountain midnight theft to hatch	T2
To charm the surly house dog's faithful bark	A2
Or hang on tip toe at the lifted latch	T2
The gloomy lantern and the dim blue match	T2
The black disguise the warning whistle shrill	A
And ear still busy on its nightly watch	U2
Were not for me brought up in nothing ill	A
Besides on griefs so fresh my thoughts were brooding still	A
	-
XLVIII	A
	-
What could I do unaided and unblest	F2
My father gone was every friend of thine	Q
And kindred of dead husband are at best	F2
Small help and after marriage such as mine	Q
With little kindness would to me incline	Q
Nor was I then for toil or service fit	F2
My deep drawn sighs no effort could confine	Q
In open air forgetful would I sit	F2
Whole hours with idle arms in moping sorrow knit	F2
	-
XLIX	U
	-
The roads I paced I loitered through the fields	U
Contentedly yet sometimes self accused	F2
Trusted my life to what chance bounty yields	U
Now coldly given now utterly refused	F2
The ground I for my bed have often used	F2
But what afflicts my peace with keenest ruth	V2
Is that I have my inner self abused	F2
Foregone the home delight of constant truth	V2
And clear and open soul so prized in fearless youth	V2
	-
L	A
	-
Through tears the rising sun I oft have viewed	F2
Through tears have seen him towards that world descend	F2
Where my poor heart lost all its fortitude	F2
Three years a wanderer now my course I bend	F2
Oh tell me whither for no earthly friend	F2
Have I She ceased and weeping turned away	U
As if because her tale was at an end	F2
She wept because she had no more to say	U
Of that perpetual weight which on her spirit lay	U
	-
LI	L
	-
True sympathy the Sailor's looks expressed	F2
His looks for pondering he was mute the while	A
Of social Order's care for wretchedness	U
Of Time's sure help to calm and reconcile	A
Joy's second spring and Hope's long treasured smile	A
'Twas not for 'him' to speak a man so tried	F2
Yet to relieve her heart in friendly style	A
Proverbial words of comfort he applied	F2
And not in vain while they went pacing side by side	F2
	-
LII	A
	-
Ere long from heaps of turf before their sight	F2
Together smoking in the sun's slant beam	C2
Rise various wreaths that into one unite	F2
Which high and higher mounts with silver gleam	C2
Fair spectacle but instantly a scream	C2
Thence bursting shrill did all remark prevent	F2
They paused and heard a hoarser voice blaspheme	C2
And female cries Their course they thither bent	F2
And met a man who foamed with anger vehement	F2
	-
LIII	A
	-
A woman stood with quivering lips and pale	A
And pointing to a little child that lay	A
Stretched on the ground began a piteous tale	A
How in a simple freak of thoughtless play	A
He had provoked his father who straightway	U
As if each blow were deadlier than the last	F2
Struck the poor innocent Pallid with dismay	A
The Soldier's Widow heard and stood aghast	F2
And stern looks on the man her grey haired Comrade cast	F2
	-
LIV	A
	-
His voice with indignation rising high	A
Such further deed in manhood's name forbade	F2
The peasant wild in passion made reply	A
With bitter insult and revilings sad	F2
Asked him in scorn what business there he had	F2
What kind of plunder he was hunting now	Q
The gallows would one day of him be glad	F2
Though inward anguish damped the Sailor's brow	Q
Yet calm he seemed as thoughts so poignant would allow	Q
	-
LV	A
	-
Softly he stroked the child who lay outstretched	F2
With face to earth and as the boy turned round	F2
His battered head a groan the Sailor fetched	F2
As if he saw there and upon that ground	F2
Strange repetition of the deadly wound	F2
He had himself inflicted Through his brain	Q
At once the griding iron passage found	F2
Deluge of tender thoughts then rushed amain	Q
Nor could his sunken eyes the starting tear restrain	Q
	-
LVI	A
	-
Within himself he said What hearts have we	U
The blessing this a father gives his child	F2
Yet happy thou poor boy compared with me	U
Suffering not doing ill fate far more mild	F2
The stranger's looks and tears of wrath beguiled	F2
The father and relenting thoughts awoke	A2
He kissed his son so all was reconciled	F2
Then with a voice which inward trouble broke	A2
Ere to his lips it came the Sailor them bespoke	A2
	-
LVII	A
	-
Bad is the world and hard is the world's law	A
Even for the man who wears the warmest fleece	U
Much need have ye that time more closely draw	A
The bond of nature all unkindness cease	U
And that among so few there still be peace	U
Else can ye hope but with such numerous foes	U
Your pains shall ever with your years increase	U
While from his heart the appropriate lesson flows	U
A correspondent calm stole gently o'er his woes	U
	-
LVIII	A
	-
Forthwith the pair passed on and down they look	A2
Into a narrow valley's pleasant scene	Q
Where wreaths of vapour tracked a winding brook	A2
That babbled on through groves and meadows green	Q
A low roofed house peeped out the trees between	Q
The dripping groves resound with cheerful lays	U
And melancholy lowings intervene	Q
Of scattered herds that in the meadow graze	U
Some amid lingering shade some touched by the sun's rays	U
	-
LIX	U
	-
They saw and heard and winding with the road	F2
Down a thick wood they dropt into the vale	A
Comfort by prouder mansions unbestowed	F2
Their wearied frames she hoped would soon regale	A
Erelong they reached that cottage in the dale	A
It was a rustic inn the board was spread	F2
The milk maid followed with her brimming pail	A
And lustily the master carved the bread	F2
Kindly the housewife pressed and they in comfort fed	F2
	-
LX	U
	-
Their breakfast done the pair though loth must part	F2
Wanderers whose course no longer now agrees	U
She rose and bade farewell and while her heart	F2
Struggled with tears nor could its sorrow ease	U
She left him there for clustering round his knees	U
With his oak staff the cottage children played	F2
And soon she reached a spot o'erhung with trees	U
And banks of ragged earth beneath the shade	F2
Across the pebbly road a little runnel strayed	F2
	-
LXI	U
	-
A cart and horse beside the rivulet stood	F2
Chequering the canvas roof the sunbeams shone	Q
She saw the carman bend to scoop the flood	F2
As the wain fronted her wherein lay one	Q
A pale faced Woman in disease far gone	Q
The carman wet her lips as well behoved	F2
Bed under her lean body there was none	Q
Though even to die near one she most had loved	F2
She could not of herself those wasted limbs have moved	F2
	-
LXII	U
	-
The Soldier's Widow learned with honest pain	Q
And homefelt force of sympathy sincere	L
Why thus that worn out wretch must there sustain	Q
The jolting road and morning air severe	L
The wain pursued its way and following near	L
In pure compassion she her steps retraced	F2
Far as the cottage A sad sight is here	L
She cried aloud and forth ran out in haste	F2
The friends whom she had left but a few minutes past	F2
	-
LXIII	U
	-
While to the door with eager speed they ran	Q
From her bare straw the Woman half upraised	F2
Her bony visage gaunt and deadly wan	Q
No pity asking on the group she gazed	F2
With a dim eye distracted and amazed	F2
Then sank upon her straw with feeble moan	Q
Fervently cried the housewife God be praised	F2
I have a house that I can call my own	Q
Nor shall she perish there untended and alone	Q
	-
LXIV	A
	-
So in they bear her to the chimney seat	F2
And busily though yet with fear untie	F2
Her garments and to warm her icy feet	F2
And chafe her temples careful hands apply	F2
Nature reviving with a deep drawn sigh	F2
She strove and not in vain her head to rear	L
Then said I thank you all if I must die	F2
The God in heaven my prayers for you will hear	L
Till now I did not think my end had been so near	L
	-
LXV	F2
	-
Barred every comfort labour could procure	L
Suffering what no endurance could assuage	W2
I was compelled to seek my father's door	L
Though loth to be a burthen on his age	W2
But sickness stopped me in an early stage	W2
Of my sad journey and within the wain	Q
They placed me there to end life's pilgrimage	X2
Unless beneath your roof I may remain	Q
For I shall never see my father's door again	Q
	-
LXVI	F2
	-
My life Heaven knows hath long been burthensome	U
But if I have not meekly suffered meek	A2
May my end be Soon will this voice be dumb	U
Should child of mine e'er wander hither speak	A2
Of me say that the worm is on my cheek	A2
Torn from our hut that stood beside the sea	U
Near Portland lighthouse in a lonesome creek	A2
My husband served in sad captivity	U
On shipboard bound till peace or death should set him free	U
	-
LXVII	F2
	-
A sailor's wife I knew a widow's cares	U
Yet two sweet little ones partook my bed	F2
Hope cheered my dreams and to my daily prayers	U
Our heavenly Father granted each day's bread	F2
Till one was found by stroke of violence dead	F2
Whose body near our cottage chanced to lie	F2
A dire suspicion drove us from our shed	F2
In vain to find a friendly face we try	F2
Nor could we live together those poor boys and I	F2
	-
LXVIII	F2
	-
For evil tongues made oath how on that day	F2
My husband lurked about the neighbourhood	F2
Now he had fled and whither none could say	F2
And 'he' had done the deed in the dark wood	F2
Near his own home but he was mild and good	F2
Never on earth was gentler creature seen	Q
He'd not have robbed the raven of its food	F2
My husband's lovingkindness stood between	Q
Me and all worldly harms and wrongs however keen	Q
	-
LXIX	F2
	-
Alas the thing she told with labouring breath	Y2
The Sailor knew too well That wickedness	F2
His hand had wrought and when in the hour of death	Y2
He saw his Wife's lips move his name to bless	F2
With her last words unable to suppress	F2
His anguish with his heart he ceased to strive	F2
And weeping loud in this extreme distress	F2
He cried Do pity me That thou shouldst live	F2
I neither ask nor wish forgive me but forgive	F2
	-
LXX	F2
	-
To tell the change that Voice within her wrought	F2
Nature by sign or sound made no essay	F2
A sudden joy surprised expiring thought	F2
And every mortal pang dissolved away	F2
Borne gently to a bed in death she lay	F2
Yet still while over her the husband bent	F2
A look was in her face which seemed to say	F2
Be blest by sight of thee from heaven was sent	F2
Peace to my parting soul the fulness of content	F2
	-
LXXI	F2
	-
'She' slept in peace his pulses throbbed and stopped	F2
Breathless he gazed upon her face then took	A2
Her hand in his and raised it but both dropped	F2
When on his own he cast a rueful look	A2
His ears were never silent sleep forsook	A2
His burning eyelids stretched and stiff as lead	F2
All night from time to time under him shook	A2
The floor as he lay shuddering on his bed	F2
And oft he groaned aloud O God that I were dead	F2
	-
LXXII	F2
	-
The Soldier's Widow lingered in the cot	F2
And when he rose he thanked her pious care	L
Through which his Wife to that kind shelter brought	F2
Died in his arms and with those thanks a prayer	L
He breathed for her and for that merciful pair	L
The corse interred not one hour heremained	F2
Beneath their roof but to the open air	L
A burthen now with fortitude sustained	F2
He bore within a breast where dreadful quiet reigned	F2
	-
LXXIII	F2
	-
Confirmed of purpose fearlessly prepared	F2
For act and suffering to the city straight	F2
He journeyed and forthwith his crime declared	F2
And from your doom he added now I wait	F2
Nor let it linger long the murderer's fate	F2
Not ineffectual was that piteous claim	U
O welcome sentence which will end though late	F2
He said the pangs that to my conscience came	U
Out of that deed My trust Saviour is in thy name	U
	-
LXXIV	F2
	-
His fate was pitied Him in iron case	F2
Reader forgive the intolerable thought	F2
They hung not no one on 'his' form or face	F2
Could gaze as on a show by idlers sought	F2
No kindred sufferer to his death place brought	F2
By lawless curiosity or chance	F2
When into storm the evening sky is wrought	F2
Upon his swinging corse an eye can glance	F2
And drop as he once dropped in miserable trance	F2

William Wordsworth

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