Volume 8 — 1838
Reading edition
In 1838 Wordsworth wrote ten sonnets. These were published (along with the one suggested by Mrs. Southey) for the first time in the volume of collected Sonnets, several being inserted out of their intended place, while the book was passing through the press.
The Protest against the Ballot, which appeared in 1838, was never republished.—Ed.
TO THE PLANET VENUS Upon its Approximation (as an Evening Star) to the Earth, January 1838
Composed 1838.—Published 1838[170]
One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”—Ed.
What strong allurement draws, what spirit guides, Thee, Vesper! brightening still, as if the nearer Thou com’st to man’s abode the spot grew dearer Night after night? True is it Nature hides Her treasures less and less.—Man now presides 5 In power, where once he trembled in his weakness; Science[171] advances with gigantic strides; But are we aught enriched in love and meekness?[172] Aught dost thou see, bright Star! of pure and wise More than in humbler times graced human story; 10 That makes our hearts more apt to sympathise With heaven, our souls more fit for future glory, When earth shall vanish from our closing eyes, Ere we lie down in our last dormitory?[173]
“HARK! ’TIS THE THRUSH, UNDAUNTED, UNDEPREST”
Composed 1838.—Published 1838
One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”—Ed.
Hark! ’tis the Thrush, undaunted, undeprest, By twilight premature of cloud and rain; Nor does that roaring wind deaden his strain[174] Who carols thinking of his Love and nest, And seems, as more incited, still more blest. 5 Thanks; thou hast snapped a fire-side Prisoner’s chain, Exulting Warbler! eased a fretted brain, And in a moment charmed my cares to rest. Yes, I will forth, bold Bird! and front the blast, That we may sing together, if thou wilt, 10 So loud, so clear, my Partner through life’s day, Mute in her nest love-chosen, if not love-built Like thine, shall gladden, as in seasons past, Thrilled by loose snatches of the social Lay. Rydal Mount, 1838.
“’TIS HE WHOSE YESTER-EVENING’S HIGH DISDAIN”
Composed 1838.—Published 1838
One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”—Ed.
’Tis He whose yester-evening’s high disdain Beat back the roaring storm—but how subdued His day-break note, a sad vicissitude! Does the hour’s drowsy weight his glee restrain? Or, like the nightingale, her joyous vein 5 Pleased to renounce, does this dear Thrush attune His voice to suit the temper of yon Moon Doubly depressed, setting, and in her wane? Rise, tardy Sun! and let the Songster prove (The balance trembling between night and morn 10 No longer) with what ecstasy upborne He can pour forth his spirit. In heaven above, And earth below, they best can serve true gladness Who meet most feelingly the calls of sadness.
COMPOSED AT RYDAL ON MAY MORNING, 1838[175]
Composed 1st May 1838.—Published 1838
[This and the following sonnet were composed on what we call the “Far Terrace” at Rydal Mount, where I have murmured out many thousands of verses.—I.F.]
This sonnet was first published in the Volume of Collected Sonnets in 1838. In 1842 it was classed among the “Miscellaneous Sonnets”; but in 1845 it was transferred to the “Memorials of a Tour in Italy, 1837.”—Ed.
If with old love of you, dear Hills! I share New love of many a rival image brought From far, forgive the wanderings of my thought: Nor art thou wronged, sweet May! when I compare[176] Thy present birth-morn with thy last,[177][178] so fair, 5 So rich to me in favours. For my lot Then was, within the famed Egerian Grot To sit and muse, fanned by its dewy air Mingling with thy soft breath! That morning too, Warblers I heard their joy unbosoming 10 Amid the sunny, shadowy, Coliseum;[179] Heard them, unchecked by aught of saddening hue,[180] For victories there won by flower-crowned Spring,[181] Chant in full choir their innocent Te Deum.
COMPOSED ON A MAY MORNING, 1838[182]
Composed 1838.—Published 1838[183]
This was one of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”—Ed.
Life with yon Lambs, like day, is just begun, Yet Nature seems to them a heavenly guide.[184] Does joy approach? they meet the coming tide; And sullenness avoid, as now they shun[185] Pale twilight’s lingering glooms,—and in the sun 5 Couch near their dams, with quiet satisfied;[186] Or gambol—each with his shadow at his side,[187] Varying its shape wherever he may run. As they from turf yet hoar with sleepy dew All turn, and court the shining and the green, 10 Where herbs look up, and opening flowers are seen; Why to God’s goodness cannot We be true, And so, His[188] gifts and promises between, Feed to the last on pleasures ever new?
A PLEA FOR AUTHORS, MAY 1838
Failing impartial measure to dispense To every suitor, Equity is lame; And social Justice, stript of reverence For natural rights, a mockery and a shame; Law but a servile dupe of false pretence, 5 If, guarding grossest things from common claim Now and for ever, She, to works that came[189] From mind and spirit, grudge a short-lived fence. “What! lengthened privilege, a lineal tie, For Books!” Yes, heartless Ones, or be it proved 10 That ’tis a fault in Us to have lived and loved Like others, with like temporal hopes to die; No public harm that Genius from her course Be turned; and streams of truth dried up, even at their source![190]
“BLEST STATESMAN HE, WHOSE MIND’S UNSELFISH WILL”
Composed 1838.—Published 1838
One of the “Sonnets dedicated to Liberty and Order.”—Ed.
Blest Statesman He, whose Mind’s unselfish will Leaves him[191] at ease among grand thoughts: whose eye Sees that, apart from magnanimity, Wisdom exists not; nor the humbler skill Of Prudence, disentangling good and ill 5 With patient care. What tho’[192] assaults run high, They daunt not him who holds his ministry, Resolute, at all hazards, to fulfil Its[193] duties;—prompt to move, but firm to wait,— Knowing, things rashly sought are rarely found; 10 That, for[194] the functions of an ancient State— Strong by her charters, free because imbound, Servant of Providence, not slave of Fate— Perilous is sweeping change, all chance unsound.[195]
VALEDICTORY SONNET[196]
Composed 1838.—Published 1838
One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”—Ed.
Serving no haughty Muse, my hands have here Disposed some cultured Flowerets (drawn from spots Where they bloomed singly, or in scattered knots), Each kind in several beds of one parterre; Both to allure the casual Loiterer, 5 And that, so placed, my Nurslings may requite Studious regard with opportune delight, Nor be unthanked, unless I fondly err. But metaphor dismissed, and thanks apart, Reader, farewell! My last words let them be— 10 If in this book Fancy and Truth agree; If simple Nature trained by careful Art Through It have won a passage to thy heart; Grant me thy love, I crave no other fee!