-Who, if he rise to station of command, And in himself possess his own desire; Whom they must follow; on whose head must fall, A constant influence, a peculiar grace; But who, if he be called upon to face Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined Is happy as a Lover; and attired With sudden brightness, like a Man inspired; Come when it will, is equal to the need: -He who, though thus endued as with a sense Is yet a Soul whose master-bias leans To homefelt pleasures and to gentle scenes; It is his darling passion to approve; More brave for this, that he hath much to love : 'Tis, finally, the Man, who, lifted high, Conspicuous object in a Nation's eye, Or left unthought-of in obscurity,— Who, with a toward or untoward lot, Who, whether praise of him must walk the earth Finds comfort in himself and in his cause; And, while the mortal mist is gathering, draws That every Man in arms should wish to be.2 The following note was added, in the edition of 1807. "The above verses were written soon after tidings had been received of the Death of Lord Nelson, which event diverted the Author's thoughts to the subject. His respect for the memory of his great fellow-countryman induces him to mention this; though he is well aware that the Verses must suffer from any connection in the Reader's mind, with a name so illustrious." This note would seem to warrant our removing the date of the composition of the poem, from 1806 to 1805; since Lord Nelson died at the battle of Trafalgar, on the 21st of October 1805. On the other hand, Wordsworth himself gave the date, 1806; and the “soon after" of the above note may perhaps be stretched to include two months and a half. In writing to Sir George Beaumont on the 11th of February 1806, and enclosing a copy of these verses, he says, "they were written several weeks 1 C. and 1843. Or he must go to dust without his fame, 1807. 1836. 2 1845. Whom every Man 180%. ago." Southey, writing to Sir Walter Scott, from Keswick, on the 4th of February 1806, says, "Wordsworth was with me last week; he has of late been more employed in correcting his poems than in writing others; but one piece he has written, upon the ideal character of a soldier, than which I have never seen anything more full of meaning and sound thought. The subject was suggested by Nelson's most glorious death, though having no reference to it. He had some thoughts of sending it to the Courier, in which case you will easily recognise it." (The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey, Vol. III. p. 19.) As it is impossible to decide with accuracy, in the absence of more definite data, I have followed the poet's own statement, and assigned the poem to the year 1806. It was classed by Wordsworth amongst his "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection." In the edition of 1807, the following note was added to the lines 66 persevering to the last From well to better, daily self-surpassed. Chaucer-The Floure and the Leafe.-ED. THE HORN OF EGREMONT CASTLE. Comp. 1806. Pub. 1807. [A Tradition transferred from the ancient mansion of Hutton John, the seat of the Hudlestones, to Egremont Castle.] ERE the Brothers through the gateway To the Horn Sir Eustace pointed Horn it was which none could sound, Save He who came as rightful Heir Heirs from times of earliest record1 Who of right had held the Lordship Tried the Horn,-it owned his power; He was acknowledged: and the blast, Which good Sir Eustace sounded, was the last. With his lance Sir Eustace pointed, And to Hubert thus said he, 'What I speak this Horn shall witness For thy better memory. Hear, then, and neglect me not! At this time, and on this spot, The words are uttered from my heart, As my last earnest prayer ere we depart On good service we are going Life to risk by sea and land, In which course if Christ our Saviour Hither come thou back straightway, Return, and sound the Horn, that we May have a living House still left in thee!" "Fear not," quickly answered Hubert; What thou askest, noble Brother, To Palestine the Brothers took their way. Side by side they fought (the Lucies And where'er their strokes alighted, There the Saracens were tamed. Whence, then, could it come-the thought— By what evil spirit brought? Oh! can a brave Man wish to take His Brother's life, for Lands' and Castle's sake? "Sir!" the Ruffians said to Hubert, "Deep he lies in Jordan flood." Months passed on, and no Sir Eustace! 1 C. and 1845. From the Castle forth they went, 1807. |