Volume 2 — The Sailor's Mother

Composed March 11th and 12th, 1802.—Published 1807

The Poem

[Written in Town-end, Grasmere. I met this woman near the Wishing-gate, on the high road that then led from Grasmere to Ambleside. Her appearance was exactly as here described, and such was her account, nearly to the letter.—I. F.]

One of the "Poems founded on the Affections."—Ed.

The Poem

text variant footnote line number

One morning (raw it was and wet— A foggy day in winter time) A Woman on the road I met, Not old, though something past her prime: Majestic in her person, tall and straight; And like a Roman matron's was her mien and gait. The ancient spirit is not dead; Old times, thought I, are breathing there; Proud was I that my country bred Such strength, a dignity so fair: She begged an alms, like one in poor estate; I looked at her again, nor did my pride abate. When from these lofty thoughts I woke, "What is it," said I, "that you bear, Beneath the covert of your Cloak, Protected from this cold damp air?" She answered, soon as she the question heard, "A simple burthen, Sir, a little Singing-bird." And, thus continuing, she said, "I had a Son, who many a day Sailed on the seas, but he is dead; In Denmark he was cast away: And I have travelled weary miles to see If aught which he had owned might still remain for me. "The bird and cage they both were his: 'Twas my Son's bird; and neat and trim He kept it: many voyages The singing-bird had gone with him; When last he sailed, he left the bird behind; From bodings, as might be, that hung upon his mind. "He to a fellow-lodger's care Had left it, to be watched and fed, And pipe its song in safety;—there I found it when my Son was dead; And now, God help me for my little wit! I bear [8] it with me, Sir;—he took so much delight in it." Note Contents 1802 Main Contents 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Variant 1:

1815

... in ... 1807

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Variant 2:

1836

... I woke, With the first word I had to spare I said to her, "Beneath your Cloak What's that which on your arm you bear?" 1807

"What treasure," said I,"do you bear, Beneath the covert of your Cloak Protected from the cold damp air?" 1820

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Variant 3:

1807

"I had a Son,—the waves might roar, He feared them not, a Sailor gay! But he will cross the waves no more: 1820

... cross the deep ... 1827

The text of 1832 returns to that of 1807

^a

.

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Variant 4:

1827

And I have been as far as Hull, to see What clothes he might have left, or other property. 1807

And I have travelled far as Hull, to see 1815

And I have travelled many miles to see If aught which he had owned might still remain for me. 1820

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Variant 5:

1845

This Singing-bird hath gone ... 1807

... had gone ... 1820

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Variant 6:

1827

As it might be, perhaps, from bodings of his mind. 1807

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Variant 7:

1827

Till he came back again; and there 1807

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Variant 8:

1827

I trail ... 1807

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Sub-Footnote a:

This return, in 1832, to the original text of the poem was due to Barren Field's criticism, the justice of which Wordsworth admitted.—Ed.

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Note:

In the Wordsworth household this poem went by the name of "The Singing Bird" as well as

The Sailor's Mother

.

"Thursday (March 11th).—A fine morning. William worked at the poem of The Singing Bird. ..." "Friday (March 12th).—William finished his poem of The Singing Bird."

(Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal.)—Ed.

Contents 1802 Main Contents