Now let us, as we float along,2 15 20 * Collins's Ode on the Death of Thomson, the last written, I believe, of the poems which were published during his life-time. This Ode is also alluded to in the next stanza.-W. W. 1798. † Compare Collins's Ode on the Death of Thomson. The Scene on the Thames near Richmond: Remembrance oft shall haunt the shore When Thames in summer wreaths is drest, To bid his gentle spirit rest. As Mr. Dowden suggests, the him was probably italicised by Wordsworth, "because the oar is suspended not for Thomson but for Collins." The italics were first used in the edition of 1802.-ED. The italics only occur in the editions of 1798 and 1800.-ED. DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES TAKEN DURING A PEDESTRIAN TOUR AMONG THE ALPS Composec 1791-2.*-Published 1793 TO THE REV. ROBERT JONES, FELLOW OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE DEAR SIR,+ However desirous I might have been of giving you proofs of the high place you hold in my esteem, I should have been cautious of wounding your delicacy by thus publicly addressing you, had not the circumstance of our having been companions among the Alps, seemed to give this dedication a propriety sufficient to do away any scruples which your modesty might otherwise have suggested.‡ In inscribing this little work to you, I consult my heart. You know well how great is the difference between two companions lolling in a post-chaise, and two travellers plodding slowly along the road, side by side, each with his little knapsack of necessaries upon his shoulders. How much more of heart between the two latter ! I am happy in being conscious that I shall have one reader who will approach the conclusion of these few pages with regret. You they must certainly interest, in reminding you of moments to which you can hardly look back without a pleasure not the less dear from a shade of melancholy. You will meet with few images without recollecting the spot where we observed * See note to the "Juvenile Pieces" in the edition of 1836 (p. 1).—ED. There is something characteristic in Wordsworth's addressing an intimate travelling companion in this way. S. T. C., or Charles Lamb, would have written, as we do, "My dear Jones"; but Wordsworth addressed his friend as "Dear Sir," and described his sister as "a Young Lady," and as a "Female Friend."-ED. In a small pocket copy of the Orlando Furioso of Ariosto-now in the possession of the poet's grandson, Mr. Gordon Wordsworth-of which the title-page is torn away, the following is written on the first page, "My companion in the Alps with Jones. W. Wordsworth:" also "W. W. to D. W." (He had given it to his sister Dorothy.) On the last page is written, "I carried this Book with me in my pedestrian tour in the Alps with Jones. W. Wordsworth." Dorothy Wordsworth gave this interesting relic to Miss Quillinan, from whose library it passed to that of its present owner. -ED. them together; consequently, whatever is feeble in my design, or spiritless in my colouring, will be amply supplied by your own memory. With still greater propriety I might have inscribed to you a description of some of the features of your native mountains, through which we have wandered together, in the same manner, with so much pleasure. But the sea-sur.sets, which give such splendour to the vale of Clwyd, Snowdon, the chair of Idris, the quiet village of Bethgelert, Menai and her Druids, the Alpine steeps of the Conway, and the still more interesting windings of the wizard stream of the Dee, remain yet untouched. Apprehensive that my pencil may never be exercised on these subjects, I cannot let slip this opportunity of thus publicly assuring you with how much affection and esteem I am, dear Sir, LONDON, 1793. Most sincerely yours, W. WORDSWORTH. [Much the greatest part of this poem was composed during my walks upon the banks of the Loire, in the years 1791, 1792. I will only notice that the description of the valley filled with mist, beginning-In solemn shapes'-was taken from that beautiful region of which the principal features are Lungarn and Sarnen. Nothing that I ever saw in Nature left a more delightful impression on my mind than that which I have attempted, alas, how feebly! to convey to others in these lines. Those two lakes have always interested me especially, from bearing in their size and other features, a resemblance to those of the North of England. It is much to be deplored that a district so beautiful should be so unhealthy as it is.-I. F.] As the original text of the Descriptive Sketches is printed in Appendix I. (p. 309) to this volume-with all the notes to that edition of 1793—it is not quoted in the footnotes to the final text in the pages which follow, except in cases which will justify themselves. Therefore the various readings which follow begin with the edition of 1815, which was, however, a mere fragment of the original text. Almost the whole of the poem of 1793 was reproduced in 1820, but there were many alterations of the text in that edition, and in those of 1827, 1832, 1836 and 1845. Wordsworth's own footnotes here reproduced are those which he retained in the edition of 1849. Descriptive Sketches was ranked among the "Juvenile Pieces" from 1815 onwards: but in 1836 it was put in a class by itself along with the Female Vagrant.*-ED. Happiness (if she had been to be found on earth) among the charms of Nature-Pleasures of the pedestrian Traveller— Author crosses France to the Alps-Present state of the Grande Chartreuse-Lake of Como-Time, Sunset-Same Scene, Twilight-Same Scene, Morning; its voluptuous Character; Old man and forest-cottage music-River Tusa Via Mala and Grison Gipsy-Sckellenen-thal-Lake of Uri-Stormy sunset-Chapel of William Tell-Force of local emotion-Chamois-chaser-View of the higher Alps -Manner of Life of a Swiss mountaineer, interspersed with views of the higher Alps-Golden Age of the Alps— Life and views continued-Ranz des Vaches, famous Swiss Air-Abbey of Einsiedlen and its pilgrims--Valley of Chamouny Mont Blanc-Slavery of Savoy-Influence of liberty on cottage-happiness-France-Wish for the Extirpation of slavery-Conclusion. WERE there, below, a spot of holy ground Sure, nature's God that spot to man had given 1 Yet not unrecompensed the man shall roam, 1 1827. a spot of holy ground, By Pain and her sad family unfound, Sure, Nature's God that spot to man had given, 2 1836. 5 ΙΟ 1820. Where the resounding power of water shakes 1820. Where with loud voice the power of waters shakes 1827. * By an evident error, corrected in the first reprint of this edition (1840). See p. 79.-ED. And plods through some wide realm o'er vale and height, Though seeking only holiday delight;1 At least, not owning to himself an aim To which the sage would give a prouder name.2 1 1836. And not unrecompensed the man shall roam, 1820. Yet not unrecompensed the man shall roam, 2 Lines 13 and 14 were introduced in 1827. 1827. 15 20 Blows not a Zephyr but it whispers joy; For him lost flowers their idle sweets exhale ; He tastes the meanest note that swells the gale; 1815. Breathes not a zephyr but it whispers joy; For him the loneliest flowers their sweets exhale ; 4 1820. And dear the green-sward to his velvet tread; * See Addison's Cato, Act 1. Scene i., 1. 171: Blesses his stars, and thinks it luxury.-ED. 1820. 1815. to In the edition of 1815, the 28 lines, from "No sad vacuities wanderer came there," are entitled "Pleasures of the Pedestrian."-ED. See Ode on the Pleasure arising from Vicissitude, l. 54: The meanest floweret of the vale, The simplest note that swells the gale.-ED. a |