Tags: Poem.
Anecdote for Fathers is a poem written by William Wordsworth and is included in the Lyrical BalladsI have a boy of five years old;His face is fair and fresh to see;His limbs are cast in beauty’s mouldAnd dearly he loves me.One morn we strolled on our dry walkOur quiet home all full in viewAnd held such intermitted talkAs we are wont to do.My thoughts on former pleasures ran;I thought of Kilve’s delightful shoreOur pleasant home when spring beganA long long year before.A day it was when I could bearSome fond regrets to entertain;With so much happiness to spareI could not feel a pain.The green earth echoed to the feetOf lambs that bounded through the gladeFrom shade to sunshine and as fleetFrom sunshine back to shade.Birds warbled round me — and each traceof inward sadness had its charm;Kilve thought I was a favored placeAnd so is Liswyn farm.My boy beside me tripped so slimAnd graceful in his rustic dress!And as we talked I questioned himIn very idleness.Now tell me had you rather beI said and took him by the armOn Kilve’s smooth shore by the green seaOr here at Liswyn farm?In careless mood he looked at meWhile still I held him by the armAnd said At Kilve I’d rather beThan here at Liswyn farm.Now little Edward say why so:My little Edward tell me why.