[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.]