No More Learning

1815 and 1820.

In 1827 the poem began thus:

Stranger! this shapeless heap of stones and earth
Is the last relic of St. Herbert's Cell.
Here stood his threshold; here was spread the roof
That sheltered him, a self-secluded Man, 1827. ]



* * * * *


FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT

[Footnote A: Compare the last stanza of "Strange fits of passion have I
known," p. 79 of this volume. --Ed. ]



The "shapeless heap of stones" in St. Herbert's Island, which were
"desolate ruins" in 1800, are even more "shapeless" and "desolate" now,
but they can easily be identified. The island is near the centre of the
lake, and is in area about four acres. The legend of St. Herbert dates
from the middle of the seventh century. The rector of Clifton,
Westmoreland, Dr. Robinson, writing in 1819, says:

"The remains of his hermitage are still visible, being built of stone
and mortar, and formed into two apartments, one of which, about twenty
feet long and sixteen feet wide, seems to have been his chapel; the
other, of less dimensions, his cell.
Near these ruins the late Sir
Wilfred Lawson (to whose representative the island at present belongs)
erected some years ago a small octagonal cottage, which, being built
of unhewn stone, and artificially mossed over, has a venerable
appearance. "

(See _Guide to the Lakes_, by John Robinson, D. D. , 1819). This cottage
has now disappeared. The following version of this "Inscription" occurs
in a letter from Wordsworth to Lady Beaumont, dated 26th November 1811:

This Island, guarded from profane approach
By mountains high and waters widely spread,
Gave to St. Herbert a benign retreat.
Upon a staff supported, and his Brow
White with the peaceful diadem of age.
Hither he came--a self-secluded Man,
. . .
Behold that shapeless Heap of stones and earth!
"Tis reverenced as a Vestige of the Abode
. . .
.