43. *_Influence of Natural Objects, &c._ [XVI.]

Written in Germany, 1799.

44. *_The Longest Day_. [XVII.]

1817.  Suggested by the sight of my daughter (Dora) playing in front of Rydal Mount, and composed in a great measure the same afternoon.  I have often wished to pair this poem upon the ‘longest’ with one upon the ‘shortest’ day, and regret even now that it has not been done.

45. *_The Norman Boy_. [XVIII.]

The subject of this poem was sent me by Mrs. Ogle, to whom I was personally unknown, with a hope on her part that I might be induced to relate the incident in verse.  And I do not regret that I took the trouble; for not improbably the fact is illustrative of the boy’s early piety, and may concur, with my other little pieces on children, to produce profitable reflection among my youthful readers.  This is said, however, with an absolute conviction that children will derive most benefit from books which are not unworthy the perusal of persons of any age.  I protest with my whole heart against those productions, so abundant in the present day, in which the doings of children are dwelt upon as if they were incapable of being interested in anything else.  On this subject I have dwelt at length in the Poem on the growth of my own mind. [’Prelude.’]

* * * * *

III.  POEMS FOUNDED ON THE AFFECTIONS.

46. The Brothers. [I.]

1800.  This poem was composed in a grove at the north-eastern end of Grasmere Lake, which grove was in a great measure destroyed by turning the high-road along the side of the water.  The few trees that are left were spared at my intercession.  The poem arose out of the fact mentioned to me, at Ennerdale, that a shepherd had fallen asleep upon the top of the rock called the ‘pillar,’ and perished as here described, his staff being left midway on the rock.

47. Great Gavel. (Foot-note.)

‘From the Great Gavel down by Leeza’s banks’ (l. 324).

The Great Gavel, so called, I imagine, from its resemblance to the gable end of a house, is one of the highest of the Cumberland mountains.  The Leeza is a river which flows into the Lake of Ennerdale.

48. Artegal and Elidure. [II.]

Rydal Mount.  This was written in the year 1815, as a token of affectionate respect for the memory of Milton.  ‘I have determined,’ says he, in his preface to his History of England, ’to bestow the telling over even of these reputed tales, be it for nothing else but in favour of our English Poets and Rhetoricians, who by their wit well know how to use them judiciously.’  See the Chronicle of Geoffrey of Monmouth and Milton’s History of England.

49. *_To a Butterfly_. [III.]

1801.  Written at the same time and place.

50 *_A Farewell_. [IV.]

1802.  Composed just before my sister and I went to fetch Mary from Gallowhill, near Scarborough.