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INTRODUCTION

[Fragments of verse extracted from the Introduction and not printed elsewhere.]

[THE ROOTS OF THE MOUNTAIN.]

[Lines from an earlier vesion.]

Bright morn, and on the iron road
You hurry past some fair abode...
[OMITTED]
No smoke curls o'er the ancient roof:
Along the winding high-hedged lane
Comes creeping down the yellow wain
Unto the harvest well-nigh done
Whose hoary wheat-sheaves face the sun;
Though in a corner of the field
The day-white reap-hooks yet they wield:
Nigh these on shimmering stubbles stand
Two wondering children hand in hand
To watch your clatter sweeping on;
And all is there—and all is gone.
But as it goes how fain were I
xxxij

To be afoot and saunter by
The field and homestead! and turn back
And take the sun-burnt stile-barred track
Unto the water meadow green
Whereof e'en now a glimpse was seen
To tell us of the river's way
Betwixt the willows wind-blown grey
E'en thus-wise have I tried to do
Within these leaves I give to you.
I saw a thing and deemed it fair
And longed that it might tarry there
And therewithal with words I wrought
To make it something more than nought.
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