What is very pleasant, every one who hears of my going to London again applauds it as the only course for the interest of all concerned in my works; observing that I ought not to be away from the opportunities London affords of seeing fine pictures, and the various improvements in works of art going on in London.

But none can know the spiritual acts of my three years’ slumber on the banks of Ocean, unless he has seen them in the spirit, or unless he should read my long Poem descriptive of those acts; for I have in these years composed an immense number of verses on one grand theme, similar to Homer’s Iliad or Milton’s Paradise Lost; the persons and machinery entirely new to the inhabitants of earth (some of the persons excepted).  I have written this Poem from immediate dictation, twelve or sometimes twenty or thirty lines at a time, without premeditation, and even against my will.  The time it has taken in writing was thus rendered nonexistent, and an immense Poem exists which seems to be the labour of a long life, all produced without labour or study.  I mention this to show you what I think the grand reason of my being brought down here.

I have a thousand and ten thousand things to say to you.  My heart is full of futurity.  I perceive that the sore travail which has been given me these three years leads to glory and honour.  I rejoice and tremble:  ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’  I had been reading the CXXXIX Psalm a little before your letter arrived.  I take your advice.  I see the face of my Heavenly Father; He lays His hand upon my head, and gives a blessing to all my work.  Why should I be troubled?  Why should my heart and flesh cry out?  I will go on in the strength of the Lord; through Hell will I sing forth His praises:  that the dragons of the deep may praise Him, and that those who dwell in darkness, and in the sea coasts may be gathered into His Kingdom.  Excuse my perhaps too great enthusiasm.  Please to accept of and give our loves to Mrs. Butts and your amiable family, and believe me ever yours affectionately.

TO THE SAME

The poet and William Hayley

Felpham, 6 July, 1803.

...  We look forward every day with pleasure toward our meeting again in London with those whom we have learned to value by absence no less perhaps than we did by presence; for recollection often surpasses everything.  Indeed, the prospect of returning to our friends is supremely delightful.  Then, I am determined that Mrs. Butts shall have a good likeness of you, if I have hands and eyes left; for I am become a likeness-taker, and succeed admirably well.  But this is not to be achieved without the original sitting before you for every touch, all likenesses from memory being necessarily very, very defective; but Nature and Fancy are two things, and can never be joined, neither ought any one to attempt it, for it is idolatry, and destroys the Soul.