Verse sweetens toil, however rude the sound; She feels no biting pang the while she sings, Nor as she turns the giddy wheel around, Revolves the sad vicissitudes of things. GIFFORD Contemplation. SAMUEL JOHNSON altered the second line to: "All at her work the village maiden sings"; and in the third line substituted "while" for "as." For "sad vicissitude of things" see STERNE under CHANGE, HAWTHORNE under APPLE, BACON under RELIGION. (See also OVERBURY, QUINTILIAN, SIDNEY) 10 He play'd an ancient ditty long since mute, Belle Dame, sans Merci" is a poem by I think, whatever mortals crave, A wreath a rank-a throne a grave I think that life is not too long, Who will not read a sermon. W. M. PRAED-Chant of the Brazen Head. |