Part 6

He had ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 24: 1845.

... had impressed Great objects on his mind, with portraiture And colour so distinct, that on his mind They lay like substances, and almost seemed To haunt the bodily sense. He had received 1814.

... had impressed Upon his mind great objects so distinct In portraiture, in colouring so vivid, That on his mind they lay like substances, And almost indistinguishably mixed With things of bodily sense.... C. ]

[Footnote 25:

(Vigorous in native genius as he was)

This line appeared only in 1814 and 1820.]

[Footnote 26: 1827.

From early childhood, even, as hath been said, From his sixth year, he had been sent abroad In summer to tend herds: such was his task Thenceforward 'till the later day of youth. O then what soul was his, when, on the tops Of the high mountains, he beheld the sun 1814. ]

[Footnote 27: 1845.

And ocean's liquid mass, beneath him lay In gladness and deep joy. The clouds were touch'd, And in their silent faces did he read 1814.

... could he read 1836. ]

[Footnote 28: 1827.

... He had early learned 1814. ]

[Footnote 29: 1827.

... which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 30: 1832.

There did he see the writing;--all things there 1814.

Responsive to the writing, all things there 1827. ]

[Footnote 31: 1827.

In many a calmer hour ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 32: 1827.

... yet to a neighbouring town 1814. ]

[Footnote 33: 1827.

... which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 34: 1827.

His Step-father ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 35: 1827.

... What could he do With blind endeavours, in that lonesome life, Thus thirsting daily?... 1814. ]

[Footnote 36: 1827.

... which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 37: 1832.

... th' altitude ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 38: 1827.

Which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 39: 1845.

Inscribed, as with the silence of the thought, Upon it's bleak and visionary sides, 1814. ]

[Footnote 40: 1827.

With an increasing weight; ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 41: 1827.

He asked repose; and I have heard him say That often, failing at this time to gain 1814. ]

[Footnote 42: 1827.

A cloud of mist, which in the sunshine frames A lasting tablet--for the observer's eye Varying it's rainbow hues.... 1814. ]

[Footnote 43: 1827.

Thus, even from Childhood upward, was he reared; For intellectual progress wanting much, Doubtless, of needful help--yet gaining more; 1814. ]

[Footnote 44: 1827.

... which ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 45: 1827.

The Mother strove to make her Son perceive With what advantage he might teach a School In the adjoining Village; but the Youth, Who of this service made a short essay, Found that the wanderings of his thought were then A misery to him; that he must resign 1814. ]

[Footnote 46: 1836.

Through dusty ways, in storm, from door to door, A vagrant Merchant bent beneath his load! 1814.

Through hot and dusty ways, or pelting storm, 1827. ]

[Footnote 47: 1845.

... for him it bore 1814. ]

[Footnote 48: 1827.

He asked his Mother's blessing; and, with tears Thanking his second Father, asked from him Paternal blessings. The good Pair bestowed 1814. ]

[Footnote 49: 1827.

Which, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 50: 1827.

Upon the bounties of the year, and felt The liberty of Nature; ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 51: 1827.

... --This active course, Chosen in youth, through manhood he pursued, Till due provision for his modest wants Had been obtained;--and, thereupon, resolved 1814. ]

[Footnote 52: 1827.

... and, when the summer's warmth Invited him, would often leave his home And journey far, revisiting those scenes Which to his memory were most endeared. 1814. ]

[Footnote 53: 1827.

... untouched 1814. ]

[Footnote 54: 1827.

Framed ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 55: 1836.

Or ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 56:

Nor could he bid them from his presence, tired With questions and importunate demands:

These two lines appeared only in 1814 and 1820.]

[Footnote 57: 1827.

... He had not heard my steps As I approached; and near him did I stand Unnotic'd in the shade, some minutes' space. 1814. ]

[Footnote 58: 1827.

And ere the pleasant greeting that ensued Was ended, "'Tis," said I, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 59: 1827.

... but you, I guess, 1814. ]

[Footnote 60: 1827.

... He, at the word, Pointing towards a sweet briar, bade me climb The fence hard by, where that aspiring shrub Looked out upon the road ... 1814.

... He raised his hand, And to a sweet-briar pointing, bade me climb C. ]

[Footnote 61: 1814.

The gooseberry-trees that showed their dwindled fruit Hanging in long lank slips, or leafless strings Of currants might have tempted to o'erleap C. ]

[Footnote 62: 1827.

... As I stooped ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 63: 1836.

Green with the moss of years; a pensive sight That moved my heart!--recalling former days When I could never pass that road but She Who lived within these walls, at my approach. 1814.

Green with the moss of years, and subject only To the soft handling of the Elements: There let the relic lie--fond thought--vain words! Forgive them--never did my steps approach This humble door but she who dwelt within 1827.

Forgive them;--never--never did my steps Approach this door but she who dwelt within 1832.

Forgive them for the sake of her who dwelt Within these walls, who here so oft hath giv'n To me a daughter's greeting; and I loved her MS.

Green with the moss of years. Upon the simple sight As there it lay I could not look unmoved! Forgive the weakness--never did step of mine Approach this door, but she who dwelt within C. ]

[Footnote 64: 1827.

With chearful hope: but ere the second autumn Her life's true Help-mate on a sick-bed lay, 1814. ]

[Footnote 65: 1827.

Was all consumed. Two children had they now, One newly born. As I have said, it was A time of trouble; shoals of Artisans Were from their daily labour turn'd adrift To seek their bread from public charity, 1814. ]

[Footnote 66: 1827.

That peck along the hedges, or the Kite That makes his dwelling on the mountain Rocks! 1814. ]

[Footnote 67: 1836.

... At his door ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 68: 1836.

He blended, ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 69: 1836.

Without an errand, would direct his steps, 1814. ]

[Footnote 70: 1845.

Is filling all the air with melody; 1814. ]

[Footnote 71: 1845.

... in an Old Man's eye? 1814. ]

[Footnote 72: 1827.

There was a heart-felt chillness in my veins.-- I rose; and, turning from the breezy shade, Went forth into the open air, and stood To drink the comfort of the warmer sun. Long time I had not staid, ere, looking round 1814. ]

[Footnote 73: 1814.

But ... MS. ]

[Footnote 74: 1827.

... far remote. And glad I was, when, halting by yon gate That leads from the green lane, once more I saw These lofty elm-trees. Long I did not rest: With many pleasant thoughts I chear'd my way O'er the flat Common.--Having reached the door I knock'd,--and, when I entered with the hope Of usual greeting, Margaret looked at me 1814. ]

[Footnote 75: 1832.

Or ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 76: 1814.

With fervent love, and with a look of grief Unutterable, and with a helpless look That seemed to cling upon me, ... C. ]

[Footnote 77: 1827.

... but therein 1814. ]

[Footnote 78: 1836.

Which placed it there: and ere that day was ended, That long and anxious day! I learned from One Sent hither by my Husband to impart The heavy news,--that he had joined a Troop. 1814. ]

[Footnote 79: 1827.

Towards the wane of Summer; when the wheat 1814. ]

[Footnote 80: 1827.

... only, I thought, 1814. ]

[Footnote 81: 1845.

Its pride of neatness. From the border lines Composed of daisy and resplendent thrift, Flowers straggling forth had on those paths encroached Which they were used to deck:-- ... 1814.

... Daisy-flow'rs and thrift Had broken their trim lines, and straggled o'er The paths they used to deck:-- ... 1827. ]

[Footnote 82: 1832.

... without support. 1814. ]

[Footnote 83:

And, as I walked before the door, it chanced

This line appeared only in 1814 and 1820.]

[Footnote 84: 1827.

And, looking round, I saw the corner stones, Till then unnotic'd, on either side the door 1814. ]

[Footnote 85: 1827.

... I have waked; ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 86: 1832.

... "that heaven 1814. ]

[Footnote 87: 1845.

... were downward cast; 1814. ]

[Footnote 88: 1827.

... to have her trust 1814. ]

[Footnote 89: 1836.

Methought ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 90: 1845.

Ere ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 91: 1814.

... sad and drooping. Time had brought No tidings which might lead her anxious mind To a source of quiet; if her husband lived, C. ]

[Footnote 92: 1845.

... Once again I turned towards the garden gate, and saw, 1814. ]

[Footnote 93: 1845.

... Towards the House Together we returned; and she enquired 1814.

... Back to the house We turned together, silent, till she asked MS. ]

[Footnote 94: 1836.

At length towards the Cottage I returned Fondly,--and traced, with interest more mild, 1814. ]

[Footnote 95: The lines from "Nor more would she" to "Sufferer" (934-9) were added in 1845.]

[Footnote 96: 1845.

... ask no more; Be wise and chearful; and no longer read The forms of things with an unworthy eye. 1814.

... ask no more: Doubt not that oft-times in her soul she felt The unbounded might of prayer--upon her knees Was taught that heavenly consolation springs From sources deeper far than deepest pain For the meek Sufferer. Why then should we read The forms of things with a dejected eye? C. ]

[Footnote 97: 1836.

... did to my heart convey 1814. ]

[Footnote 98: 1845.

The passing shews ... 1814. ]

[Footnote 99: 1845.

Appeared an idle dream, that could not live Where meditation was. I turned away 1814. ]

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote S: In a copy of the quarto edition of _The Excursion_ (1814) bequeathed by the Poet to his grandson, the Rev. John Wordsworth, there are numerous changes of text in his own handwriting, or that of his wife. The majority of these were incorporated in later editions. Several of them, however, were not. These are reproduced in this edition, wherever it has been thought expedient to preserve them, and are indicated as "MS." readings. On the fly-leaf of the same presentation copy of the 1814 edition, Mrs. Wordsworth wrote out Mr. R. P. Gillies' sonnet, addressed to the author of _The Excursion_.--ED.]

[Footnote T: Compare _An Evening Walk_ (vol. i. p. 9)--

When, in the south, the wan noon, brooding still, Breathed a pale steam around the glaring hill. ED. ]

[Footnote U: Compare _An Evening Walk_ (vol. i. p. 11)--

And its own twilight softens the whole scene. ED. ]

[Footnote V: Compare the sonnet composed in boyhood, beginning--

Sweet was the walk along the narrow lane,

and printed in an Appendix to vol. viii.--ED.]

[Footnote W: Compare the _Sonnet composed at ---- Castle_, in the "Memorials of a Tour in Scotland," 1803 (vol. ii. p. 410)--

A brotherhood of venerable Trees. ED. ]

[Footnote W1: Hawkshead. Compare the notes to _The Prelude_, in books i. and ii. The Fenwick note tells us, "At Hawkshead, while I was a schoolboy, there occasionally resided a Packman, with whom I had frequent conversations upon what had befallen him, and what he had observed, during his wandering life; and, as was natural, we took much to each other."--ED.]

[Footnote X: Compare the _Elegiac Stansas, suggested by a Picture of Peele Castle, in a Storm_ (vol. iii. p. 54)--

The consecration, and the Poet's dream;

and the Discourse on Poetry in the Preface to the "Lyrical Ballads" of 1800. See the _Prose Works_.--ED.]

[Footnote Y: Compare Sir Henry Taylor, _Philip van Artevelde_, act 1. scene v.--

The world knows nothing of its greatest men. ED. ]

[Footnote Z: Compare Horace, _Epistles_ i. 17, 10--

Nec vixit male qui natus moriensque fefellit. ED. ]

[Footnote AA: Compare _Elegiac Stanzas, suggested by a Picture of Peele Castle_ (vol. iii. p. 54)--

The light that never was, on sea or land. ED. ]

[Footnote AB: Compare _Resolution and Independence_, stanza xiv. (vol. ii. p. 319)--

Such as grave Livers do in Scotland use, Religious men, who give to God and man their dues. ED. ]

[Footnote AC: Compare Byron, _Childe Harold_, canto iv. stanza clxxxiv.--

From a boy I wantoned with thy breakers--they to me Were a delight; and if the freshening sea Made them a terror,--'twas a pleasing fear. ED. ]

[Footnote AD: Compare _Ode, Intimations of Immortality_, stanza ix. (vol. viii.)--

those obstinate questionings Of sense and outward things, etc.

and _The Prelude_, book ii. l. 350 (vol. iii. p. 164)--

what I saw Appeared like something in myself, a dream, A prospect in the mind. ED. ]

[Footnote AE: Compare Milton, _Il Penseroso_, l. 109--

Or call up him that left half told The story of Cambuscan bold. ED. ]

[Footnote AF: Compare _Lines Written in Early Spring_ (vol. i. p. 269)--

And 'tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes. ED. ]

[Footnote AG: Compare _The Prelude_, book ii. l. 411 (vol. iii. p. 166)--

Communing ... With every form of creature, as it looked Towards the Uncreated with a countenance Of adoration, with an eye of love. ED. ]

[Footnote AH: Compare book iv. ll. 111-14; also in Robert Browning's _Old Pictures in Florence_, stanza i.--

And washed by the morning water-gold, Florence lay out on the mountain-side. ED. ]

[Footnote AI: The sea is not visible from the hills of Athole, except from the summit of Ben y' Gloe, where it can be seen to the south-east in the clearest weather. Wordsworth did not care for local accuracy in this passage. It was quite unnecessary for his purpose. Compare his account of the morning walk near Hawkshead in _The Prelude_, and see the Appendix-note to book iv. l. 338 (vol. iii. p. 389).--ED.]

[Footnote AJ: Compare _Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey_ (vol. ii. p. 54), in which Wordsworth speaks of the rock, the mountain, and the wood, their colours and their forms, as an appetite, a feeling, and a love--

That had no need of a remoter charm, By thought supplied, nor any interest Unborrowed from the eye. ED. ]

[Footnote AK: Compare the line in the sonnet on Milton (vol. ii. p. 346)--

Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart. ED. ]

[Footnote AL: In this description of the eagle's birth-place, and the peak "familiar with forgotten years," Wordsworth probably wandered in imagination from the Athole district to Westmoreland, as this part of the poem was in all likelihood written in 1801-2. He visited the Athole country, with his sister, in 1803; going up as far as Blair, and returning: but there is no peak in that district (at least none that he would see) that shows

Inscribed upon its visionary sides, The history of many a winter storm, Or obscure records of the path of fire,

as does, for example, the Stob Dearg in the Buchaile Etive Mor group in Argyll, a peak which he saw in the course of his Scottish tour in that year. --ED.]

[Footnote AM: Compare _Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey_ (vol. ii. p.54)--

The sounding cataract Haunted me like a passion: the tall rock, The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood. Their colours and their forms, were then to me An appetite. ED. ]

[Footnote AN: With this description of the boy and youth, compare Coleridge's words in _The Friend_, vol. iii. p. 46 (edition of 1818)--

"We have been discoursing of infancy, childhood, boyhood, and youth, of pleasures lying upon the unfolding intellect plenteously as morning dew-drops--of knowledge inhaled insensibly like the fragrance--of dispositions stealing into the spirit like music from unknown quarters--of images uncalled for and rising up like exhalations, of hopes plucked like beautiful wild flowers from the ruined tombs that border the highways of antiquity, to make a garland for a living forehead: in a word, we have been treating of nature as a teacher of truth through joy and through gladness, and as a creatress of the faculties by a process of smoothness and delight. We have made no mention of fear, shame, sorrow, nor of ungovernable and vexing thoughts; because, although these have been and have done mighty service, they are overlooked in that stage of life when youth is passing into manhood, overlooked or forgotten."--ED.]

[Footnote AO: Enterprise. Compare the poem _To Enterprise_, which, Wordsworth says, "arose out of _The Italian Itinerant, and The Swiss Goatherd_." Compare also the latter poem, No. xxv. of the "Memorials of a Tour on the Continent" (1820).--ED.]

[Footnote AP: See Wordsworth's note, p. 383.]

[Footnote AQ: Compare the Preface to "Lyrical Ballads" (1800), in the _Prose Works_.--ED.]

[Footnote AR: Compare _Simon Lee_, ll. 5-8 (vol. i. p. 263)--

Full five-and-thirty years he lived A running huntsman merry; And still the centre of his cheek Is red as a ripe cherry.

Also the description of Margaret, p. 60 of this volume.--ED.]

[Footnote AS: Compare _Resolution and Independence_, stanza xiii. (vol. ii. p. 318).]

[Footnote AT: Compare _Julius Cæsar_, act III. scene ii. l. 81--

The good is oft interred with their bones. ED. ]

[Footnote AU: See Moschus's epitaph on Bion, 1-7--

Αἴλινά μοι στοναχεῖτε νάπαι καὶ Δώρεον ὕδωρ, καὶ ποταμοὶ κλαίοιτε τὸν ἰμερόεντα Βίωνα. νῦν φυτά μοι μύρεσθε, καὶ ἄλσεα νῦν γοάοισθε. ἄνθεα νῦν στυγνοῖσιν ἀποπνείοιτε κορύμβοις. νῦν ῥόδα φοινίσσεσθε τὰ πένθιμα, νῦν ἀνεμῶναι, νῦν ὑάκινθε λάλει τὰ σα γράμματα, καὶ πλέον αἲ αἲ λάμβανε τοῖς πετάλοισι καλὸς τεθνακε μελικτάς.

And compare Virgil, Ecl. v. 27, 28; Georg. I. 466-488; Georg. IV. 461-463; Catullus, Carmen XXXI., _Ad Sirmionem Peninsulam_, the three last lines. See also Theocritus, Idyll 3, and compare the philosophic myths in the stories of Orpheus, Amphion, etc.--ED.]

[Footnote AV: Compare δν οἱ θεοὶ ϕιλοῦσιν, ἀποθνήσκει νέος.]

Whom the gods love, die young.

Menander, quoted (amongst others) by Plutarch, _Consol. ad Apollonium_, cap. 34. For other authorities, see Meineke's _Comicorum Græcorum Fragmenta_.--ED.]

[Footnote AW: The hand-loom was common in many of the cottages of the country, as well as in the manufacturing towns of England and Scotland, until quite recently.--ED.]

[Footnote AX: Psalm ciii. 16.--ED.]

[Footnote AY: Compare λύοντες οὐκ ἤκουον.--(Æsch. _Prom_. v. 447.)

Also S. Matt. xiii. 13-15--

They seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not.

And Shakespeare, _Richard III_. act IV. scene iv. 1. 26--

Blind sight, dead life, poor mortal-living ghost. ED. ]

[Footnote AZ: Compare _The Waggoner_, vol. iii. p. 77--

In silence deeper far than that of deepest noon! ED. ]

[Footnote BA: Compare _Resolution and Independence_, stanza xiii. (vol. ii. p. 319)--

Ere he replied, a flash of mild surprise Broke from the sable orbs of his yet-vivid eyes. ED. ]

[Footnote BB: Compare Burns's _Epistle to William Simpson, Ochiltree_--

Adoun some trotting burn's meander. ED. ]

[Footnote BC: Compare _Midsummer Night's Dream_, act 1. scene i. l. 211--

Decking with liquid pearl the bladed grass. ED. ]

[Footnote BD: _Sedum acre_.--ED.]

[Footnote BE: _Statice armerium_.--ED.]

[Footnote BF: _Convolvulus arvensis_.--ED.]

[Footnote BG: Mr. H. H. Turner suggests that this line would be more naturally written,

Bespake a hand of sleepy negligence.

The change would have been an improvement.--ED.]

[Footnote BH: "The scene of the first book of the poem is, I must own, laid in a tract of country not sufficiently near to that which soon comes into view in the second book, to agree with the fact. All that relates to Margaret, and the ruined cottage, etc., was taken from observations made in the south-west of England; and certainly it would require more than seven-league boots to stretch in one morning, from a common in Somersetshire, or Dorsetshire, to the heights of Furness Fells, and the deep valleys they embosom."--I. F.

Compare with the first book of _The Excursion_ the first three books of _The Prelude_.--ED.]

[Footnote BI: Compare stanza xi. in the _Ode, Intimations of Immortality_ (vol. viii.)--

To me the meanest flower that blows can give Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears. ED. ]

=Book Second=

THE SOLITARY

ARGUMENT