We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon ! The "pleasant lea" referred to in this sonnet is unknown. It may have been on the Cumbrian coast, or in the Isle of Man. I am indebted to the Rev. Canon Ainger for suggesting an (unconscious) reminiscence of Spenser in the last line of the sonnet. Compare Dr. Arnold's commentary (Miscellaneous Works of Thomas Arnold, p. 311), and that of Sir Henry Taylor in his Notes from Books. —ED. "WITH SHIPS THE SEA WAS SPRINKLED FAR AND NIGH" Composed 1806. -Published 1807 Placed among the "Miscellaneous Sonnets.”—ED. WITH Ships the sea was sprinkled far and nigh, § Like stars in heaven, and joyously it showed ; * See Spenser's Colin Clout's come Home againe, 1. 283 "A goodly pleasant lea." ED. † Compare Paradise Lost, book iii. 1. 603. See Colin Clout's come Home againe, 11. 244-5 Of them the shepheard which hath charge in chief, Is Triton, blowing loud his wreathed horne. ED. § Compare The Excursion, book iv. 1. 1197 Sprinkled: sea with ships ED. 1 Some lying fast at anchor in the road, A goodly Vessel did I then espy 5 10 "WHERE LIES THE LAND TO WHICH YON SHIP MUST GO?" Composed 1806. ---Published 1807 Classed among the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."-ED. WHERE lies the Land to which yon Ship must go ? 1 1837. Festively she puts forth in trim array; 1807. * In the editions of 1815 to 1832 (but not in 1807) this line was printed within inverted commas. The quotation marks were dropped, however, in subsequent editions (as in the quotation from Spenser, in the poem Beggars). In a note at the end of the volumes of 1807, Wordsworth says, "From a passage in Skelton, which I cannot here insert, not having the Book at hand." The passage is as follows Her takelynge ryche, and of hye apparayle. Skelton's Bowge of Courte, stanza vi.-ED. † See Professor H. Reed's note to the American edition of Memoirs of Wordsworth, vol. i. p. 335; and Wordsworth's comment on Mrs. Fermor's criticism of this sonnet in his letter to Lady Beaumont, May 21, 1807.-ED. What boots the inquiry? - Neither friend nor foe 5 10 TO SLEEP Composed 1806.-Published 1807 Placed among the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."-ED. O GENTLE SLEEP! do they belong to thee, I have no pain that calls for patience, no; * 1 1807. I am 1815. 2 1807. * And The text of 1827 returns to that of 1807. 1815. The text of 1827 returns to that of 1807. Compare"Et c'est encore ce qui me fâche, de n'etre pas même en droit de. fâcher."-Rousseau, La Nouvelle Héloise. Ovid, Metamorphoses, lib. ii. 1. 796.-ED. Yet ever willing to be reconciled : TO SLEEP Composed 1806. —Published 1807 One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."-ED. FOND words have oft been spoken to thee, Sleep! Like to a breeze from heaven. Shall I alone, TO SLEEP Composed 1806. - Published 1807 Classed among the "Miscellaneous Sonnets. "-ED. A FLOCK of sheep that leisurely pass by, 1 1837. The very sweetest words that fancy frames 1807. I have thought of all by turns, and yet do lie 1 5 10 Compare Ovid, Metamorphoses, book xi. 1. 623; Macbeth, act II. scene ii. 1. 39; King Henry IV., Part II., act III. scene i. 1.5; Midsummer Night's Dream, act III. scene ii. 1. 435.-ED. TO THE MEMORY OF RAISLEY CALVERT Composed 1806. - Published 1807 [This young man, Raisley Calvert, to whom I was so much indebted, died at Penrith, 1795.-I. F.] Classed among the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."-ED. CALVERT! it must not be unheard by them 1 1845. I've thought of all by turns; and still I lie 1807. 1827. 1837. * Compare The Faërie Queene, book 1. canto i. stanza 41- A trickling streame from high rock tumbling downe, ED. |