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

"OH BOUNTY WITHOUT MEASURE, WHILE THE GRACE"

In his copy of the edition of 1845 at the close of the poem, Animal Tranquillity and Decay (1798) (see the "Poem referring to the Period of Old Age," vol. i. p. 307), Henry Crabb Robinson wrote the following lines, sent to him by Wordsworth.--ED.



Oh Bounty without measure, while the Grace

Of Heaven doth in such wise from humblest springs

Pour pleasures forth, and solaces that trace

A mazy course along familiar things,

Well may our hearts have faith that blessings come

Streaming from points above the starry sky,

With angels, when their own untroubled home

They leave, and speed on mighty embassy

To visit earthly chambers,--and for whom?

Yea, both for souls who God's forbearance try,

And those that seek his help and for his mercy sigh.

7th April 1840. My 70th Birthday.

                                                                                       W.W.