Note EL — 1820
Reading edition
The Wordsworths remained some time in London in 1820, before they started for the Continent, on the 1st of August. They came up to be present at the marriage of Mr. Monkhouse. It is probable that they visited Richmond during this visit, and that the above Sonnet was suggested, both by the nightingale's song at Richmond, and by the prospect of their own Continental Tour. In connection with the six last lines of the Sonnet, it may be remembered that, when sailing between Kew and Richmond, Thomson,
The sweet-souled Poet of the Seasons,
caught the cold which ended his days. He lies buried in Richmond Church. In the first Book of The Seasons, on "Spring," he thus alludes to the nightingales—
Lend me your song, ye nightingales! Oh pour The mazy running soul of melody Into my varied verse.
Again,
She sings Her sorrows through the night; and, on the bough Sole sitting, still at every dying fall Takes up again her lamentable strain Of winding woe.
Also in his Hymn,
Sweetest of birds! sweet Philomela, charm The listening shades.
To Richmond he alludes frequently, e.g.
Ascend While radiant Summer opens all its pride Thy hill, delightful Shene.
Shene was the old name for Richmond.—Ed.