from Canto I

221

But for the present, gentle reader! and
     Still gentler purchaser! the bard—that’s I—
Must, with permission, shake you by the hand,
     And so your humble servant, and good bye!
We meet again, if we should understand
     Each other; and if not, I shall not try
Your patience further than by this short sample—
‘Twere well if others follow’d my example.

222

“Go, little book, from this my solitude!
     I cast thee on the waters, go thy ways!
And if, as I believe, thy vein be good,
     The world will find thee after many days.”
When Southey’s read, and Wordsworth understood,
     I can’t help putting in my claim to praise—
The four first rhymes are Southey’s every line:
For God’s sake, reader! take them not for mine.