poetic feelings, was born and passed his boyhood, in this neighbourhood, under his father who was a minister of the Scotch Kirk. The Esk, both above and below Langholme, flows through a beautiful country, and the two streams of the Wauchope and the Ewes, which join it near that place, are such as a pastoral poet would delight in.] PART fenced by man, part by a rugged steep Union not sad, when sunny daybreak smites IV. ON THE SIGHT OF A MANSE IN THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND. [The Manses in Scotland and the gardens and grounds about them have seldom that attractive appearance which is common about our English parsonages, even when the clergyman's income falls below the average of the Scotch minister's. This is not merely owing to the one country being poor in comparison with the other, but arises rather out of the equality of their benefices, so that no one has enough to spare for decorations that might serve as an example for others; whereas, with us, the taste of the richer incumbent extends its influence more or less to the poorest. After all, in these observations the surface only of the matter is touched. I once heard a conversation in which the Roman Catholic Religion was decried on account of its abuses. "You cannot deny, however," said a lady of the party, repeating an expression used by Charles 2nd, "that it is the religion of a gentleman." It may be COMPOSED IN ROSLIN CHAPEL, DURING A STORM. 277 left to the Scotch themselves to determine how far this observation applies to their Kirk, while it cannot be denied, if it is wanting in that characteristic quality, the aspect of common life, so far as concerns its beauty, must suffer. Sincere christian piety may be thought not to stand in need of refinement or studied ornament; but assuredly it is ever ready to adopt them, when they fall within its notice, as means allow; and this observation applies not only to manners, but to everything a christian (truly so in spirit) cultivates and gathers round him, however humble his social condition.] SAY, ye far-travelled clouds, far-seeing hills- And o'er wide plains cheered by the lark that trills Aught that more surely by its aspect fills Pure minds with sinless envy, than the Abode Of the good Priest? who, faithful through all hours Has yet a heart and hand for trees and flowers, Nor covets lineal rights in lands and towers. V. COMPOSED IN ROSLIN CHAPEL, DURING A STORM. [We were detained by incessant rain and storm at the small inn near Roslin Chapel, and I passed a great part of the day pacing to and fro in this beautiful structure, which, though not used for public service, is not allowed to go to ruin. Here, this Sonnet was composed. If it has at all done justice to the feeling which the place and the storm raging without inspired, I was as a prisoner. A painter delineating the interior of the chapel and its minute features under such circum And o'er wide plains whereon the sky distils 1835. stances would have, no doubt, found his time agreeably shortened. But the movements of the mind must be more free while dealing with words than with lines and colours; such at least was then and has been on many other occasions my belief, and, as it is allotted to few to follow both arts with success, I am grateful to my own calling for this and a thousand other recommendations which are denied to that of the painter.] THE wind is now thy organist;—a clank Share with their sculptured fellows, that, green-grown, VI. THE TROSSACHS. [As recorded in my sister's Journal, I had first seen the Trossachs in her and Coleridge's company. The sentiment that runs through this Sonnet was natural to the season in which I again saw this beautiful spot; but this and some other sonnets that follow were coloured by the remembrance of my recent visit to Sir Walter Scott, and the melancholy errand on which he was going.] THERE'S not a nook within this solemn Pass, But were an apt confessional for One * "I cannot agree with you in admiring the cathedral of Melrose more than the chapel at Roslin. As far as it goes, as a whole, the chapel at Roslin appeared to me to be perfection, most beautiful in form, and of entire simplicity."-(Dorothy Wordsworth to Mrs Marshall, Sept. 1807.) -ED. THE PIBROCH'S NOTE, DISCOUNTENANCED OR MUTE. 279 Taught by his summer spent, his autumn gone, That Life is but a tale of morning grass Withered at eve. From scenes of art which chase1 That thought away, turn, and with watchful eyes Rocks, rivers, and smooth lakes more clear than glass VII. THE pibroch's note, discountenanced or mute; Then may we ask, though pleased that thought should range Survives imagination-to the change Superior? Help to virtue does she give ?4 If not, O Mortals, better cease to live! VIII. COMPOSED AFTER READING A NEWSPAPER OF THE DAY.* Comp. 1831. Pub. 1835. PEOPLE! your chains are severing link by link; Soon shall the Rich be levelled down-the Poor Meet them half-way." Vain boast! for These, the more IX. COMPOSED IN THE GLEN OF LOCH ETIVE. ["That make the Patriot spirit." It was mortifying to have frequent occasions to observe the bitter hatred of the lower orders of the Highlanders to their superiors; love of country seemed to have passed into its opposite. Emigration was the only relief looked to with hope.]+ * This Sonnet ought to have followed No. VII. in the series of 1831, but was omitted by mistake. W.W., 1835. As the above note indicates Wordsworth's own wish as to where the Sonnet should be placed, and approximately gives the date of composition, it is placed as No. VIII. in the Sonnets of 1831. In later editions, Wordsworth placed it as the first in the series of sonnets dedicated to Liberty and Order. -ED. + This Fenwick note is significant. These things repeat themselves, and are as true in 1885, as they were in 1831.-ED. |