"
From these extracts two things are evident,
(1) who the persons are described in the stanzas, and
(2) the immense labour bestowed upon the poem.
From these extracts two things are evident,
(1) who the persons are described in the stanzas, and
(2) the immense labour bestowed upon the poem.
William Wordsworth
) wrote two stanzas in the manner of
Thomson's 'Castle of Indolence', and was tired out.
"10th May. --William still at work, though it is past ten o'clock . . .
William did not sleep till three o'clock. "
"11th May. --William finished the stanzas about C. and himself. He did
not go out to-day. . . . He completely finished his poem. He went to bed
at twelve o'clock.
"
From these extracts two things are evident,
(1) who the persons are described in the stanzas, and
(2) the immense labour bestowed upon the poem.
In the 'Memoirs of Wordsworth', by the late Bishop of Lincoln, there is
a passage (vol. ii. chap. li. p. 309) amongst the "Personal
Reminiscences, 1836," in which the Hon. Mr. Justice Coleridge virtually
decides the question of the identity of the two persons referred to, in
his record of a conversation with the poet. It is as follows:
"October 10th. --I have passed a great many hours to-day with
Wordsworth in his home. I stumbled on him with proof sheets before
him. He read me nearly all the sweet stanzas written in his copy of
the 'Castle of Indolence', describing himself and my uncle; and he and
Mrs. W. both assured me the description of the latter at that time was
perfectly accurate; and he was almost as a great boy in feelings, and
had all the tricks and fancies there described. Mrs.
Thomson's 'Castle of Indolence', and was tired out.
"10th May. --William still at work, though it is past ten o'clock . . .
William did not sleep till three o'clock. "
"11th May. --William finished the stanzas about C. and himself. He did
not go out to-day. . . . He completely finished his poem. He went to bed
at twelve o'clock.
"
From these extracts two things are evident,
(1) who the persons are described in the stanzas, and
(2) the immense labour bestowed upon the poem.
In the 'Memoirs of Wordsworth', by the late Bishop of Lincoln, there is
a passage (vol. ii. chap. li. p. 309) amongst the "Personal
Reminiscences, 1836," in which the Hon. Mr. Justice Coleridge virtually
decides the question of the identity of the two persons referred to, in
his record of a conversation with the poet. It is as follows:
"October 10th. --I have passed a great many hours to-day with
Wordsworth in his home. I stumbled on him with proof sheets before
him. He read me nearly all the sweet stanzas written in his copy of
the 'Castle of Indolence', describing himself and my uncle; and he and
Mrs. W. both assured me the description of the latter at that time was
perfectly accurate; and he was almost as a great boy in feelings, and
had all the tricks and fancies there described. Mrs.
