THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, VOL. 8 (Completed)

"HARK! 'TIS THE THRUSH, UNDAUNTED, UNDEPREST"

Composed 1838.--Published 1838

One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED.

Hark! 'tis the Thrush, undaunted, undeprest,

By twilight premature of cloud and rain;

Nor does that roaring wind deaden his strain[174]

Who carols thinking of his Love and nest,

And seems, as more incited, still more blest.

Thanks; thou hast snapped a fire-side Prisoner's chain,

Exulting Warbler! eased a fretted brain,

And in a moment charmed my cares to rest.

Yes, I will forth, bold Bird! and front the blast,

That we may sing together, if thou wilt,

So loud, so clear, my Partner through life's day,

Mute in her nest love-chosen, if not love-built

Like thine, shall gladden, as in seasons past,

Thrilled by loose snatches of the social Lay.

RYDAL MOUNT, 1838.

[174] 1838.

... undaunted, unopprest,

Struggling with twilight premature and rain.

Loud roars the wind, but smothers not his strain

MS.