She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways

Wordsworth’s short poem mourning Lucy, a maid who lived unknown among the untrodden ways and died with few to notice.

She dwelt among th’ untrodden waysBeside the springs of Dove,A Maid whom there were none to praiseAnd very few to love.

A Violet by a mossy stoneHalf-hidden from the Eye!—Fair, as a star when only oneIs shining in the sky!

She liv’d unknown, and few could knowWhen Lucy ceas’d to be;But she is in her Grave, and Oh!The difference to me.

Famous lines

• She dwelt among th’ untrodden ways
  Beside the springs of Dove,
  A Maid whom there were none to praise
  And very few to love.

  In context

  • Love

• She liv’d unknown, and few could know
  When Lucy ceas’d to be;
  But she is in her Grave, and Oh!
  The difference to me.

  In context

  • Life & Death
  • Love