Poems, in Two Volumes (Wordsworth, 1807)/Volume 1/Notes

by William Wordsworth

 

NOTES

to the

FIRST VOLUME.

 

NOTES.

 

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NOTE I.

Page 1.—To the Daisy. This Poem, and two others to the same Flower, which the Reader will find in the second Volume, were written in the year 1802; which is mentioned, because in some of the ideas, though not in manner in which those ideas are connected, and likewise even in some of the expressions, they bear a striking resemblance to a Poem (lately published) of Mr. Montgomery, entitled, a Field Flower. This being said, Mr. Montgomery will not think any apology due to him; I cannot however help addressing him in the words of the Father of English Poets.

'Though it happe me to rehersin—'That ye han in your freshe songis saied,'Forberith me, and beth not ill apaied,'Sith that ye se I doe it in the honour'Of Love, and eke in service of the Flour.'

 

Note II.

Page 35; line 14.—

". . . . . . persevering to the last,From well to better."

'For Knightes ever should be persevering'To seek honour without feintise or slouth'Fro wele to better in all manner thing."Chaucer—The Floure and the Leafe.

 

Note III.

Page 37.—The Horn of Egremont Castle.

This Story is a Cumberland tradition; I have heard it also related of the Hall of Hutton John an antient residence of the Huddlestones, in a sequestered Valley upon the River Dacor.

 

Note IV.

Page 58.—The Seven Sisters. The Story of this Poem is from the German of Frederica Brun.

 

Note V.

Page 63; line 6.—

" . . . . . . . . that thy Boat May rather seem To brood on air," &c. &c.

See Carver's Description of his Situation upon one of the Lakes of America.

 

Note VI.

Page 112; line 8.—"Her tackling rich, and of apparel high." From a passage in Skelton, which I cannot here insert, not having the Book at hand.

 

Note VII.

Page 150; line 11.—"Oh! for a single hour of that Dundee." See an anecdote related in Mr. Scott's Border Minstrelsy.

 

Note VIII.

Page 152; lines 13 and 14.—

"Who are to judge of danger which they fear And honour which they do not understand."

These two lines from Lord Brooke's Life of Sir Philip Sydney.

 

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

 

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Wood & Innes,
Printers, Poppin's Court, Fleet Street.

 

ERRATUM.

page 37, line 7: instead of nightful read rightful.