"STRANGE FITS OF Pa.s.sION HAVE I KNOWN"

Composed 1799.--Published 1800

[Written in Germany, 1799.--I.F.]

One of the "Poems founded on the Affections." In MS. Wordsworth gave, as the t.i.tle, "A Reverie," but erased it.--Ed.

Strange fits of pa.s.sion have I known: [1]

And I will dare to tell, But in the Lover's ear alone, What once to me befel.

When she I loved looked every day 5 Fresh as a rose in June, [2]

I to her cottage bent my way, Beneath an [3] evening moon.

Upon the moon I fixed my eye, All over the wide lea; 10 With quickening pace my horse drew nigh [4]

Those paths so dear to me.

And now we reached the orchard-plot; And, as we climbed the hill, The sinking moon to Lucy's cot 15 Came near, and nearer still. [5]

In one of those sweet dreams I slept, Kind Nature's gentlest boon!

And all the while my eyes I kept On the descending moon. 20

My horse moved on; hoof after hoof He raised, and never stopped: When down behind the cottage roof, At once, the bright moon dropped. [6]

What fond and wayward thoughts will slide 25 Into a Lover's head!

"O mercy!" to myself I cried, "If Lucy should be dead!"

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1832.

... I have known, 1800.]

[Variant 2:

1836.

When she I lov'd, was strong and gay And like a rose in June, 1800.]

[Variant 3:

1836.

... the ... 1800.]

[Variant 4:

1836.

My horse trudg'd on, and we drew nigh 1800.]

[Variant 5:

1836.

Towards the roof of Lucy's cot The moon descended still. [a] 1800.]

[Variant 6:

1815.

... the planet dropp'd. 1800.]

SUB-FOOTNOTES ON THE TEXT

[Sub-Footnote a: Compare the lines in Arthur Hugh Clough's poem, 'The Stream of Life':

And houses stand on either hand And thou descendest still.