Extract from the Conclusion of a Poem, composed in Anticipation of leaving School Composed 1786.--Published 1815
The Poem
This poem was placed by Wordsworth among his "Juvenile Pieces." The following note was prefixed to that Series, from 1820 to 1832:
"Of the Poems in this class, "The Evening Walk" and "Descriptive Sketches" were first published in 1793. They are reprinted with some unimportant alterations that were chiefly made very soon after their publication. It would have been easy to amend them, in many passages, both as to sentiment and expression, and I have not been altogether able to resist the temptation: but attempts of this kind are made at the risk of injuring those characteristic features, which, after all, will be regarded as the principal recommendation of juvenile poems."
In 1836 "unimportant" was erased before "alterations"; and after "temptation" the following was added, "as will be obvious to the attentive reader, in some instances: these are few, for I am aware that attempts of this kind," etc.
"The above, which was written some time ago, scarcely applies to the Poem, 'Descriptive Sketches', as it now stands. The corrections, though numerous, are not, however, such as to prevent its retaining with propriety a place in the class of 'Juvenile Pieces.'"
In the editions of 1845 and 1849, Wordsworth called his "Juvenile Pieces," "Poems written in Youth."—Ed.
"Dear native regions," etc., 1786, Hawkshead. The beautiful image with which this poem concludes suggested itself to me while I was resting in a boat along with my companions under the shade of a magnificent row of sycamores, which then extended their branches from the shore of the promontory upon which stands the ancient, and at that time the more picturesque, Hall of Coniston, the Seat of the Le Flemings from very early times. The Poem of which it was the conclusion, was of many hundred lines, and contained thoughts and images, most of which have been dispersed through my other writings.—I. F.
In the editions 1815 to 1832, the title given to this poem was 'Extract from the conclusion of a Poem, composed upon leaving School'. The row of sycamores at Hawkshead, referred to in the Fenwick note, no longer exists.
In the "Autobiographical Memoranda," dictated by Wordsworth at Rydal Mount in November 1847, he says,
" .... I wrote, while yet a schoolboy, a long poem running upon my own adventures, and the scenery of the county in which I was brought up. The only part of that poem which has been preserved is the conclusion of it, which stands at the beginning of my collected Poems."
A
In the eighth book of 'The Prelude', (lines 468-475), this fragment is introduced, and there Wordsworth tells us that once, when boating on Coniston Lake (Thurston-mere) in his boyhood, he entered under a grove of trees on its "western marge," and glided "along the line of low-roofed water," "as in a cloister." He adds,
while, in that shade
Loitering, I watched the golden beams of light
Flung from the setting sun, as they reposed
In silent beauty on the naked ridge
Of a high eastern hill—thus flowed my thoughts
In a pure stream of words fresh from the heart:
Ed.
The Poem
| text | variant | footnote | line number |
Dear native regions, I foretell,
From what I feel at this farewell,
That, wheresoe'er my steps may tend,
And whensoe'er my course shall end,
If in that hour a single tie
Survive of local sympathy,
My soul will cast the backward view,
The longing look alone on you.
Thus, while the Sun sinks down to rest
Far in the regions of the west,
Though to the vale no parting beam
Be given, not one memorial gleam,
A lingering light he fondly throws
On the dear hills where first he rose. |
1
2
3
4
5 | B
|
5
10
|
Footnote A: See the Memoirs of William Wordsworth, by Christopher Wordsworth (1851), vol. i. pp. 10-31.—Ed.
return to footnote mark
Footnote B: Compare the Ode, composed in January 1816, stanza v.—Ed.
return
Variant 1:
return to variant mark
Variant 2:
| 1815 | |
That, when the close of life draws near,
And I must quit this earthly sphere,
If in that hour a tender tie
| MS. |
return
Variant 3:
| 1845. | |
Thus, when the Sun, prepared for rest,
Hath gained the precincts of the West,
Though his departing radiance fail
To illuminate the hollow Vale,
| 1815. |
Thus, from the precincts of the West,
The Sun, when sinking down to rest,
| 1832. |
... while sinking ...
| 1836. |
Hath reached the precincts ...
| MS. |
return
Variant 4:
| 1815 | |
A lingering lustre fondly throws
| 1832 |
The edition of 1845 reverts to the reading of 1815.
return
Variant 5:
| 1815 | |
On the dear mountain-tops ...
| 1820 |
The edition of 1845 returns to the text of 1815.
return
Contents
Written in very Early Youth
Composed 1786A.—Published 1807B
The Poem
From 1807 to 1843 this was placed by Wordsworth in his group of "Miscellaneous Sonnets." In 1845, it was transferred to the class of "Poems written in Youth." It is doubtful if it was really written in "'very' early youth." Its final form, at any rate, may belong to a later period.—Ed.
The Poem
| text | variant | footnote | line number |
Calm is all nature as a resting wheel.
The kine are couched upon the dewy grass;
The horse alone, seen dimly as I pass,
Is cropping audibly his later meal:
Dark is the ground; a slumber seems to steal
O'er vale, and mountain, and the starless sky.
Now, in this blank of things, a harmony,
Home-felt, and home-created, comes to heal
That grief for which the senses still supply
Fresh food; for only then, when memory
Is hushed, am I at rest. My Friends! restrain
Those busy cares that would allay my pain;
Oh! leave me to myself, nor let me feel
The officious touch that makes me droop again. |
1
2
|
C
|
5
10
|
Footnote A: The date of the composition of this fragment is quite unknown.—Ed.
return to footnote mark
Footnote B: But previously, in The Morning Post, Feb. 13, 1802.—Ed.
return
Footnote C: Canon Ainger calls attention to the fact that there is here a parallel, possibly a reminiscence, from the 'Nocturnal Reverie' of the Countess of Winchelsea.
Whose stealing pace and lengthened shade we fear,
Till torn-up forage in his teeth we hear.
Ed.
return
Variant 1:
| 1827 | |
Is up, and cropping yet ...
| 1807 |
return to variant mark
Variant 2:
return
Contents
