ith whatsoever they found there
As if they had within some lurking right
To wield it;--they, too, who, of gentle mood,
Had watched all gentle motions, and to these
Had fitted their own thoughts, schemers more mild, 30
And in the region of their peaceful selves;--
Now was it that both [7] found, the meek and lofty
Did both find, helpers to their heart's desire,
And stuff at hand, plastic as they could wish;
Were called upon to exercise their skill, 35
Not in Utopia, subterranean [8] fields,
Or some secreted island, Heaven knows where!
But in the very world, which is the world
Of all of us,--the place where in the end
We find our happiness, or not at all! 40

* * * * *

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1: "were" omitted from the 1820 edition only.]

[Variant 2:

1809.

... us ... 'The Prelude', 1850.]

[Variant 3:

1815.

... Enchanter ... 1809.]

[Variant 4:

1832.

(To take an image which was felt no doubt 1809.

(As at some moments might not be unfelt 'The Prelude', 1850.]

[Variant 5:

1815.

Their ministers--used to stir in lordly wise 1809.]

[Variant 6:

1815.

And deal ... 1809.]

[Variant 7: "both" 'italicised' from 1815 to 1832, and also in 'The
Prelude'.]

[Variant 8:

1832

... subterraneous ... 1809.]

Compare Coleridge's remarks in 'The Friend', vol. ii. p. 38, before
quoting this poem,

"My feelings and imagination did not remain unkindled in this general
conflagration; and I confess I should be more inclined to be ashamed
than proud of myself if they had! I was a sharer in the general
vortex, though my little world described the path of its revolution in
an orbit of its own," etc.

Ed.

* * * * *

ODE TO DUTY

Composed 1805.--Published 1807

"Jam non consilio bonus, sed more eo perductus, ut non tantum recte
facere possim, sed nisi recte facere non possim." [A]

[This Ode is on the model of Gray's 'Ode to Adversity', which
is copied from Horace's Ode to Fortune. Many and many a
time have I been twitted by my wife and sister for having
forgotten this dedication of myself to the stern law-giver.
Transgressor indeed I have been from hour to hour, from day
to day: I would fain hope, however, not