[Variant 55:

1827.

Memory, though slow, returned with strength; ... 1798.

My memory and my strength returned; ... 1802.]

[Variant 56:

1802.

The wild brood ... 1798.]

[Variant 57: The following stanza occurs only in the editions of 1798 to 1805:

My heart is touched to think that men like these, The rude earth's tenants, were my first relief: How kindly did they paint their vagrant ease!

And their long holiday that feared not grief, For all belonged to all, and each was chief.

No plough their sinews strained; on grating road No wain they drove, and yet, the yellow sheaf In every vale for their delight was stowed: For them, in nature's meads, the milky udder flowed. 1798.

My heart is touched to think that men like these, Wild houseless Wanderers, were my first relief: 1802.

In every field, with milk their dairy overflow'd. 1802.]

[Variant 58:

1836.

Semblance, with straw and pannier'd a.s.s, they made Of potters wandering on from door to door: But life of happier sort to me pourtrayed, 1798.

They with their pannier'd a.s.ses semblance made Of Potters ... 1802.]

[Variant 59:

1836.

In depth of forest glade, when ... 1798.

Among the forest glades when ... 1802.]

[Variant 60:

1802.

But ill it suited me, in journey dark 1798.]

[Variant 61:

1802.

Poor father! ... 1798.]

[Variant 62:

1842.

Ill was I ... 1798.]

[Variant 63:

1842.

With tears whose course no effort could confine, By high-way side forgetful would I sit 1798.

By the road-side forgetful would I sit 1802.

In the open air forgetful ... 1836.]

[Variant 64:

1836.

... my ... 1798.]

[Variant 65:

1836.

I lived upon the mercy of the fields, And oft of cruelty the sky accused; On hazard, or what general bounty yields, 1798.

I led a wandering life among the fields; Contentedly, yet sometimes self-accused, I liv'd upon what casual bounty yields, 1802.]

[Variant 66:

1802.

The fields ... 1798.]