Part 33

This vesper-service closed, without delay, 755 From that exalted station to the plain Descending, we pursued our homeward course, In mute composure, o'er the shadowy lake, Under[889] a faded sky. No trace remained Of those celestial splendours; grey the vault-- 760 Pure, cloudless, ether; and the star of eve Was wanting; but inferior lights appeared Faintly, too faint almost for sight; and some Above the darkened hills stood boldly forth In twinkling lustre, ere the boat attained 765 Her mooring-place; where, to the sheltering tree, Our youthful Voyagers bound fast her prow, With prompt yet careful hands. This done, we paced The dewy fields; but ere the Vicar's door Was reached, the Solitary checked his steps; 770 Then, intermingling thanks, on each bestowed A farewell salutation; and, the like Receiving, took the slender path that leads To the one cottage in the lonely dell:[LH] But turned not without welcome promise made[890] 775 That he would share the pleasures and pursuits Of yet another summer's day,[LI] not loth To wander with us through the fertile vales,[891] And o'er the mountain-wastes. "Another sun," Said he, "shall shine upon us, ere we part; 780 Another sun, and peradventure more; If time, with free consent, be yours[892] to give, And season favours." To enfeebled Power, From this communion with uninjured Minds, What renovation had been brought; and what 785 Degree of healing to a wounded spirit, Dejected, and habitually disposed To seek, in degradation of the Kind, Excuse and solace for her own defects; How far those erring notions were reformed; 790 And whether aught, of tendency as good And pure, from further intercourse ensued; This--if delightful hopes, as heretofore, Inspire the serious song, and gentle Hearts Cherish, and lofty Minds approve the past-- 795 My future labours may not leave untold.

VARIANTS:

[Footnote 813: 1836.

_Vicious inclinations are best kept under by giving good ones an opportunity to shew themselves_-- 1814. ]

[Footnote 814: 1836.

_deplored from want of due respect to this truth on the part of their superiors in society_-- 1814. ]

[Footnote 815: 1836.

_Genuine principles of equality_-- 1814. ]

[Footnote 816: 1836.

_humblest--Happy_ 1814. ]

[Footnote 817: 1836.

_Wanderer breaks off--Walk to the Lake--embark--Description of scenery and amusements--_ 1814. ]

[Footnote 818: 1820.

... has ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 819: 1827.

Of her own native vigour--but for this, That it is given her thence in age to hear 1814. ]

[Footnote 820: 1827.

... tow'rds ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 821: 1832.

... will ever be allowed, 1814. ]

[Footnote 822: 1850.

... is it ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 823: 1827.

... which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 824: 1845.

... upon ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 825: 1827.

... itself, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 826: 1827.

... touches ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 827: 1827.

What more than this, that we thereby should gain 1814. ]

[Footnote 828: 1832.

They sweep away infection from the heart; And, by the substitution of delight, Suppress all evil; ... 1814.

They sweep distemper from the busy day, And make the Vessel of the big round Year Run o'er with gladness; ... 1827. ]

[Footnote 829: 1827.

... power 1814. ]

[Footnote 830: 1827.

... before your sight A most familiar object of our days, A Little-one, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 831: 1827.

... my ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 832:

Through which she ... MS. ]

[Footnote 833: 1827.

... Sheep ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 834: 1827.

Which Women who have Children of their own Regard without compassion, yea with praise! I spake of mischief which the wise diffuse 1814. ]

[Footnote 835: 1827.

Within the reach ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 836: 1845.

... and death to be Foretasted, immortality presumed. 1814. ]

[Footnote 837: 1814.

Bountiful ... C. ]

[Footnote 838: 1836.

... no special boon For high and not for low, for proudly graced And ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 839: 1836.

... haughty ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 840: 1836.

... betwixt ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 841: 1836.

But let us rather fix our gladdened thoughts 1814.

"But let us rather turn our gladdened thoughts 1827. ]

[Footnote 842: 1836.

... this is sure, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 843: 1827.

... and to inform 1814. ]

[Footnote 844: 1836.

To drudge through weary life without the aid 1814. ]

[Footnote 845: 1827.

This right, as sacred almost as the right To exist and be supplied with sustenance And means of life, the lisping Babe proclaims 1814. ]

[Footnote 846: 1827.

... sacred ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 847: 1814.

That ... 1836.

The text of 1845 returns to that of 1814.]

[Footnote 848: 1827.

... acts 1814. ]

[Footnote 849: 1827.

To breed commotion and disquietude, Each might preserve ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 850: 1836.

Amongst ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 851: 1827.

... do alike require That permanent provision should be made For the whole people to be taught and trained. 1814. ]

[Footnote 852:

... descend Upon the humblest member of the State Like ... C. ]

[Footnote 853: 1845.

With civil arts, and send their fragrance forth, 1814.

... that send ... 1827. ]

[Footnote 854: 1827.

From Culture, universally bestowed On Britain's noble Race in freedom born; From Education, from that humble source, 1814. ]

[Footnote 855: 1827.

... quiet ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 856: 1836.

The Lake though bright, is of a placid blue; 1814. ]

[Footnote 857: 1845.

Beneath her ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 858: 1827.

And down the Valley on the Streamlet's bank 1814. ]

[Footnote 859: 1832.

... I sometimes feel, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 860: 1845.

... so serene and bright; Like those reflected in yon quiet Pool, Cannot be lasting in a world like ours, To great and small disturbances exposed." 1814.

... so serene and bright; Like those reflected in yon quiet pool, Cannot be lasting in a world whose pleasure (And whose best beauty, beautiful as it is) Seems but a fleeting sun-beam's gift, whose peace The sufferance only of a breath of air!" 1836.

... so serene and bright Cannot be lasting in a world like ours, One whose best beauty, beautiful as it is, Like that reflected in yon quiet pool Seems but a fleeting sun-beam's gift, whose peace The sufferance only of a breath of air!" 1840. ]

[Footnote 861: 1836.

--When we had cautiously embarked, the Pair Now for a prouder service were addrest; But an inexorable law forbade, And each resigned the oar which he had seized. Whereat, with willing hand I undertook The needful labour; grateful task!--to me 1814. ]

[Footnote 862: 1836.

... Now the reedy marge Cleared, with a strenuous arm I dipped the oar, 1814. ]

[Footnote 863: 1836.

... bend ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 864:

... darksome ... C. ]

[Footnote 865:

... by youthful Pages served C. ]

[Footnote 866: 1836.

... partook The beverage drawn from China's fragrant herb. 1814. ]

[Footnote 867: 1836.

... roused ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 868: 1827.

... there, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 869: 1836.

... beach It seems extinct; nor shall ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 870: 1836.

Thus did the Bark, meandering with the shore, Pursue her voyage, till a point was gained Where a projecting line of rock, that framed A natural pier, invited us to land. 1814.

Thus did the Bark, meandering with the shore, Pursue her voyage, till a natural pier Of jutting rock invited us to land. 1827. ]

[Footnote 871: 1827.

... and thence obtained, Slowly, a less and less obstructed sight 1814. ]

[Footnote 872: 1836.

Of ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 873: 1827.

Of the whole lake-- ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 874: 1827.

... presiding o'er the Vale And all her Dwellings; seemingly preserved 1814. ]

[Footnote 875: 1845.

From the intrusion of a restless world 1814. ]

[Footnote 876: 1827.

With resting-place of mossy stone;--and there We sate reclined--admiring quietly The frame and general aspect of the scene; And each not seldom eager to make known 1814. ]

[Footnote 877: 1836.

... ne'er ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 878: 1836.

Pierced through their thin etherial mould, ere we, Who saw, of change were conscious, had become 1814.

Ere we, who saw, of change were conscious, pierced Through their ethereal texture, had become 1827. ]

[Footnote 879: 1827.

... Image of Thyself. 1814. ]

[Footnote 880: 1836.

Whom morning wakes, among sweet dews and flowers 1814. ]

[Footnote 881:

... henceforward raised ... C. ]

[Footnote 882: 1827.

... and unceasing joy. Once, while the Name ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 883: 1827.

... their heads 1814. ]

[Footnote 884: 1827.

Of those dread Idols, some, perchance, received 1814. ]

[Footnote 885: 1827.

... spacious ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 886: 1836.

At this affecting hour, might almost think 1814. ]

[Footnote 887: 1827

On your Abodes, and this beloved Land, Our birth-place, home, and Country, while on Earth We sojourn,--loudly do I utter thanks With earnest joy, that will not be suppressed. 1814. ]

[Footnote 888: 1827.

... or ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 889: 1836.

Beneath ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 890: 1845.

... in the lonely dell, His chosen residence. But, ere he turned Aside, a welcome promise had been given, 1814.

But turned not without welcome promise given, 1827. ]

[Footnote 891: 1845.

Of yet another summer's day, consumed In wandering with us through the Vallies fair, 1814.

... given up To wandering ... C. ]

[Footnote 892: 1814.

... is yours ... 1827.

The text of 1845 returns to that of 1814.]

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote KJ: "On the side of Loughrigg Fell, at the foot of the lake, and looking down upon it and the whole Vale and its encompassing mountains, the Pastor is supposed by me to stand, when at sunset he addresses his companions."--I. F.]

[Footnote KK: Compare _Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey_ (vol. ii. p. 55, l. 100)--

A motion and a spirit, that impels All thinking things, all objects of all thought, And rolls through all things. ED. ]

[Footnote KL: The vale of Langdale rather than that of Grasmere. It was the cottage at Hackett that was, by "the magician's wand," converted into the "Parsonage." Possibly, however, the allusion may be to Fairfield, or Stone Arthur.--ED.]

[Footnote KM: The Rothay.--ED.]

[Footnote KN: A phrase now familiarized to English ears by Mr. Arnold's use of it.--ED.]

[Footnote KO: See Wordsworth's note, p. 390. Compulsory Elementary Education was secured to Scotland by the Education Act of 1872, and to England by the Act of 1880.--ED.]

[Footnote KP: A promontory in Valencia, facing the Balearic Isles.--ED.]

[Footnote KQ: The reference is to Napoleon Buonaparte, and his designs of conquest, "oppression," and "destruction."--ED.]

[Footnote KR: See note, p. 371.--ED.]

[Footnote KS: Compare _Yarrow Unvisited_, ll. 43, 44 (vol. ii. p. 412)--

The swan on still St. Mary's Lake Float double, swan and shadow. ED. ]

[Footnote KT: Compare _The Prelude_, book ii. ll. 54-57 (vol. iii. p. 155)--

When summer came, Our pastime was, on bright half-holidays, To sweep along the plain of Windermere With rival oars. ED. ]

[Footnote KU: Dr. Cradock, the Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford, wrote to me in 1878: "The Lake is of course, in the main, that of Grasmere, 'the grassy mountain's open side' being avowedly Loughrigg Terrace. But, according to Wordsworth's habit, he has drawn his imagery from various other places--as the island of Grasmere is not 'with birch-trees fringed.' (This may well refer to Rydal.) Again, I know of no 'lilies of the vale' at Grasmere, but they are found, I believe, on one of the islands of Windermere, certainly in woods near the river Leven, below that lake. Again, the vicar refers to 'two islands' on the lake, but Grasmere has only one. I never saw a goat 'browsing by dashing waterfalls,' still less 'spotted deer' on or near Grasmere."

It seems to me that the description refers, first to Rydal lake, and then to Grasmere. The company descend, as will be seen, along a streamlet to a bridge, where they see a ram reflected in the water. They then go into a boat, and sail to the 'rocky isle with birch-trees fringed.' This cannot refer to the island in Grasmere, but it _may_ refer to the larger one in Rydal. Even the 'dashing waterfall' may be the small one in the beck that descends between Nab Scar and White Moss Common. But if this be correct, and if the whole party are supposed to ascend Loughrigg Terrace later on, proceeding to a point whence they can view the vale of Grasmere, there are still some difficulties in localising the details.--ED.]

[Footnote KV: Probably the terrace walks on Loughrigg are here referred to.--ED.]

[Footnote KW: Compare _The Prelude_, book ii. ll. 59-61 (vol. iii. p. 155)--

... a Sister Isle Beneath the oaks' umbrageous covert, sown With lilies of the valley like a field. ED. ]

[Footnote KX: See note, p. 371.--ED.]

[Footnote KY: See note, p. 371.--ED.]

[Footnote KZ: Loughrigg.--ED.]

[Footnote LA: Of Grasmere.--ED.]

[Footnote LB: Loughrigg Fell. See the Fenwick note, p. 15, and p. 374 line 6.--ED.]

[Footnote LC: The reference may be to the crater-like recess or "cove," on Helm Crag, or to the more distant recesses of Easdale.--ED.]

[Footnote LD: A name of Jupiter among the Druids in Gaul. Toland, in his _History of the Druids_ (p. 247), gives a list of the _Dii Gallorum_, beginning with _Taramis_ and ending with _Adraste_ or _Andate_. And, in an edition of Toland's _History_, edited with elaborate notes by R. Huddleston, schoolmaster, Lunan, and published at Montrose in 1814, I find the following, p. 357:--"Taramis, or _Taranis_, is the Gaelic _Taran_, or _Tharan_, _i.e._ 'thunder.' This god is the same with the Grecian _Zeus_, or the Roman _Jupiter_. By this deity the Celts understood _Baal_. _Taranis_, or _Tharanis_, is sometimes written _Tanaris_, or _Thanaris_, which bears a great affinity to the English _thunder_, the German _Donder_, and the Roman _Tonitru_. Lucan mentions him (lib. i.) in these words--

Et Taranis Scythicæ non mitior ara Dianæ.

From the Celts the Germans borrowed _Tharanis_, and by abbreviation formed their God _Thor_, whence _Thursday_, the same as the Roman _Dies Iovis_." Compare Southey's _Book of the Church_, vol. i. p. 5.--ED.]

[Footnote LE: The same editor of Toland's book on the Druids, whose comment on Taranis is given in the previous note, writes thus of Adraste, or Andate, p. 359:--"Respecting this goddess there has been some difference of opinion. The Greeks seem to have considered her as _Nemesis_, or the goddess of revenge.... There can be little doubt that the goddess here meant is the Phœnician _Ashtaroth_, or _Astarte_, _i.e._ 'the moon.'" See Dio Cassius, i. 64.--ED.]

[Footnote LF: Grasmere Church.--ED.]

[Footnote LG: Compare _Paradise Lost_, book v. 1. 202--

Witness if I be silent, morn or even. ED. ]

[Footnote LH: At Blea Tarn.--ED.]

[Footnote LI: See the Fenwick note, p. 15.--ED.]

NOTES

The following are the notes which Wordsworth added to _The Excursion_ in the edition of 1814. In the case of the second, it will be observed that a new note was substituted in 1827 for that of 1814 and 1820. In other respects these "notes" remained unaltered throughout the editions, from 1814 to 1850. I have not thought it necessary to indicate the few, and very slight, changes in the phraseology of separate sentences. The text of the passages, on which the notes are based, is taken from the edition of 1850.--ED.

Preface, page 25.

_Descend, prophetic Spirit! that inspir'st_ _The human Soul_, etc.

Not mine own fears, nor the prophetic Soul Of the wide world dreaming on things to come. _Shakspeare's Sonnets._--W.W. (1814).

Page 43.

----_much did he see of men._

In Heron's Tour in Scotland is given an intelligent account of the qualities by which this class of men used to be, and still are in some degree, distinguished, and of the benefits which society derives from their labours. Among their characteristics, he does not omit to mention that, from being obliged to pass so much of their time in solitary wandering among rural objects, they frequently acquire meditative habits of mind, and are strongly disposed to enthusiasm poetical and religious. I regret that I have not the book at hand to quote the passage, as it is interesting on many accounts. (1814.)

At the risk of giving a shock to the prejudices of artificial society, I have ever been ready to pay homage to the aristocracy of nature; under a conviction that vigorous human-heartedness is the constituent principle of true taste. It may still, however, be satisfactory to have prose testimony how far a Character, employed for purposes of imagination, is founded upon general fact. I, therefore, subjoin an extract from an author who had opportunities of being well acquainted with a class of men, from whom my own personal knowledge emboldened me to draw this portrait.

"We learn from Cæsar and other Roman Writers, that the travelling merchants who frequented Gaul and other barbarous countries, either newly conquered by the Roman arms, or bordering on the Roman conquests, were ever the first to make the inhabitants of those countries familiarly acquainted with the Roman modes of life, and to inspire them with an inclination to follow the Roman fashions, and to enjoy Roman conveniences. In North America, travelling merchants from the Settlements have done and continue to do much more towards civilising the Indian natives, than all the missionaries, papist or protestant, who have ever been sent among them.

"It is farther to be observed, for the credit of this most useful class of men, that they commonly contribute, by their personal manners, no less than by the sale of their wares, to the refinement of the people among whom they travel. Their dealings form them to great quickness of wit and acuteness of judgment. Having constant occasion to recommend themselves and their goods, they acquire habits of the most obliging attention, and the most insinuating address. As in their peregrinations they have opportunity of contemplating the manners of various men and various cities, they become eminently skilled in the knowledge of the world. _As they wander, each alone, through thinly-inhabited districts, they form habits of reflection and of sublime contemplation._ With all these qualifications, no wonder, that they should often be, in remote parts of the country, the best mirrors of fashion, and censors of manners; and should contribute much to polish the roughness, and soften the rusticity of our peasantry. It is not more than twenty or thirty years since a young man going from any part of Scotland to England, of purpose to _carry the pack_, was considered as going to lead the life and acquire the fortune of a gentleman. When, after twenty years' absence, in that honourable line of employment, he returned with his acquisitions to his native country, he was regarded as a gentleman to all intents and purposes."--Heron's _Journey in Scotland_, vol. i. p. 89.--W.W. (1827).

Page 110.

_Lost in unsearchable eternity!_

Since this paragraph was composed, I have read with so much pleasure, in Burnet's Theory of the Earth, a passage expressing corresponding sentiments, excited by objects of a similar nature, that I cannot forbear to transcribe it.