TO M. H.

Composed 1800.—­Published 1800

[To Mary Hutchinson, two years before our marriage.  The pool alluded to is in Rydal Upper Park.—­I.F.]

  Our walk was far among the ancient trees: 
  There was no road, nor any woodman’s path;
  But a [1] thick umbrage—­checking the wild growth
  Of weed and sapling, along soft green turf [2]
  Beneath the branches—­of itself had made 5
  A track, that [3] brought us to a slip of lawn,
  And a small bed of water in the woods. 
  All round this pool both flocks and herds might drink
  On its firm margin, even as from a well,
  Or some stone-basin which the herdsman’s hand 10
  Had shaped for their refreshment; nor did sun,
  Or wind from any quarter, ever come,
  But as a blessing to this calm recess,
  This glade of water and this one green field. 
  The spot was made by Nature for herself; 15
  The travellers know it not, and ’twill remain
  Unknown to them; but it is beautiful;
  And if a man should plant his cottage near,
  Should sleep beneath the shelter of its trees,
  And blend its waters with his daily meal, 20
  He would so love it, that in his death-hour
  Its image would survive among his thoughts: 
  And therefore, my sweet MARY, this still Nook,
  With all its beeches, we have named from You! [4]

* * * * *

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1: 

1836.

  But the ... 1800.]

[Variant 2: 

1827.

  ... on the soft green turf 1800.

  ... smooth dry ground MS.]

[Variant 3: 

1827.

  ... which ... 1800.]

[Variant 4: 

1800.

  ... for You. 1802.

The text of 1815 returns to that of 1800.]

To find the pool referred to in the Fenwick note, I have carefully examined the course of Rydal beck, all the way up to the foot of the Fell.  There is a pool beyond the enclosures of the Hall property, about five hundred feet above Rydal Mount, which partly corresponds to the description in the poem, but there is no wood around it now; and the trees which skirt its margin are birch, ash, oak, and hazel, but there are no beeches.  It is a short way below some fine specimens of ice-worn rocks, which are to the right of the stream as you ascend it, and above these rocks is a well-marked moraine.  It is a deep crystal pool, and has a “firm margin” of (artificially placed) stones.  This may be the spot described in the poem; or another, within the grounds of the Hall, may be the place referred to.  It is a sequestered nook, beside the third waterfall as you ascend the