1836. There is a certain fitness, however, in this poem being placedas it is—alongside of the Elegiac Stanzas in memory of John Wordsworth, "The Sheep-boy whistled loud, &c.," and the fourth poem to the Daisy, beginning, "Sweet flower! belike one day to have, &c." The "Fir-grove" still exists. It is between Wishing Gate and White Moss Common, and almost exactly opposite the former. Standing at the gate and looking eastwards, the grove is to the left, not forty yards distant. Some of the firs (Scotch ones) still survive, and several beech trees, not a single beech-tree," as in the poem. From this, one might infer that the present colony had sprung up since the beginning of the century, and that the special tree, in which was the thrush's nest, had perished; but Dr Cradock tells me that "Wordsworth pointed out the tree to Miss Cookson a few days before Dora Wordsworth's death. The tree is near the upper wall and tells its own tale." The Fir-grove-" John's Grove"-can easily be entered by a gate about a hundred yards beyond the Wishing-gate, as one goes toward Rydal. The view from it, the "visionary scene," the spectacle Of clouded splendour, . . this dream-like sight Of solemn loveliness, is now much interfered with by the new larch plantations immediately below the firs. It must have been very different in Wordsworth's time, and is constantly referred to in his sister's Journal as a favourite retreat, resorted to when cloudless suns Shone hot, or wind blew troublesome and strong. In the absence of contrary testimony, it might be supposed that “the track" which the brother had "worn," By pacing here, unwearied and alone, faced Silver-How and the Grasmere Island, and that the single beech tree was nearer the lower than the upper wall. But Miss Cookson's testimony is explicit. Only fifteen fir trees survive at this part of the grove, which is now open and desolate, not as it was in those earlier days, when the trees Had been so thickly planted, and had thriven Dr Cradock remarks, "As to there being more than one beech, Wordsworth would not have hesitated to sacrifice servile exactness to poetical effect." He had a fancy for "one Fair as a star when only one Is shining in the sky. 66 "One abode, no more ;" Grasmere's one green island ;” one green field." As a specimen of the sister's frequent references to "John's Grove" after her brother's departure from Grasmere, the following may be given :-" Monday, 29th April, 1802.-A beautiful morning. The sun shone, and all was pleasant. . . After I had written down the Tinker, which William finished this morning, we went to John's Grove, sate a while at first. Afterwards William lay in the trench under the fence, with his eyes shut, listening to the Waterfalls and the Birds. There was no one waterfall above another-it was a sound of waters in the air -the voice of the air. We thought that it would be so sweet thus to lie in the grave, to hear the peaceful sounds of the earth, and just to know that our friends were near. The lake was still. There was a boat out. Silver How reflected with delicate purple and yellowish hues, as I have seen spar. Lambs on the island, and running races by the half-dozen in the round field near us. The copses greenish, hawthorn green, &c., &c.”—Ed. 1 LOUISA. AFTER ACCOMPANYING HER ON A MOUNTAIN EXCURSION. Comp. 1805. I MET Louisa in the shade, Pub. 1807. And, having seen that lovely Maid, Why should I fear to say1 That, nymph-like, she is fleet and strong,2 And down the rocks can leap along Like rivulets in May ?3 1807 to 1832, and again in 1845. Though, by a sickly taste betrayed, Some will despise the lovely Maid. 1836. 2 1845. That she is ruddy, fleet, and strong. 1807. 1836. That she is healthful, fleet, and strong. 3 In edd. 1807 to 1836 the following verse occurs, which was omitted from the text of 1845 :— And she hath smiles to earth unknown; Smiles, that with motion of their own Do spread, and sink, and rise ; That come and go with endless play, And ever, as they pass away, She loves her fire, her cottage home; And, when against the wind she strains, Take all that's mine "beneath the moon," If I with her but half a noon May sit beneath the walls Of some old cave, or mossy nook, When up she winds along the brook To hunt the waterfalls. Classed amongst the "Poems founded on the Affections.”—ED. TO A YOUNG LADY, WHO HAD BEEN REPROACHED FOR TAKING LONG WALKS IN THE COUNTRY [Composed at the same time and on the same view as " I met Louisa in the shade:" indeed they were designed to make one piece.] DEAR Child of Nature, let them rail! -There is a nest in a green dale, A harbour and a hold; Where thou, a Wife and Friend, shalt see Thy own heart-stirring days, and be 1 A light to young and old. There, healthy as a shepherd boy, And treading among flowers of joy Thy slow delightful days, and be As if thy heritage were joy, 1807. 1807. Thou, while thy babes around thee cling, A Woman may be made. Thy thoughts and feelings shall not die, Nor leave thee, when grey hairs are nigh, But an old age serene and bright,1 And lovely as a Lapland night, Shall lead thee to thy grave. This and the preceding poem were addressed to Dorothy Wordsworth. Compare the last stanza of the second poem with the concluding lines of Tintern Abbey. It was classed in ed. 1815 to 1832 amongst the "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection;" and afterwards transferred to those of the "Imagination."--ED. [Written at Town-end, Grasmere. Faithfully narrated, though with the omission of many pathetic circumstances, from the mouth of à French lady, who had been an eye-and-ear-witness of all that was done and said. Many long years after, I was told that Dupligne was then a monk in the Convent of La Trappe.] The following tale was written as an Episode, in a work from which its length may perhaps exclude it. The facts are true; no invention as to these has been exercised, as none was needed.--1820. O HAPPY time of youthful lovers (thus My story may begin) O balmy time, Is fairer than the fairest star in heaven! To such inheritance of blessed fancy (Fancy that sports more desperately with minds The high-born Vaudracour was brought, by years 1 1815. But an old age alive and bright, 1807 His stripling prime. A town of small repute, From which her graces and her honours sprung: Of sea-fowl, conscious both that they are hovering Or hidden only by the concave depth Thus, not without concurrence of an age 1 1836. And strangers to content if long apart, 1820. |