Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

I, who accompanied with faithful pace[5]

Cerulean Duddon from its[6] cloud-fed spring,[7]

And loved with spirit ruled by his to sing

Of mountain-quiet and boon nature's grace;[8]

I, who essayed the nobler Stream to trace 5

Of Liberty,[9] and smote the plausive string

Till the checked torrent, proudly triumphing,

Won for herself a lasting resting-place;[10]

Now seek upon the heights of Time the source

Of a Holy River,[11]on whose banks are found 10

Sweet pastoral flowers, and laurels that have crowned

Full oft the unworthy brow of lawless force;

And,[12] for delight of him who tracks its course,[13]

Immortal amaranth and palms abound.

FOOTNOTES:

[5] 1827.

I, who descended with glad step to chase 1822.

[6] 1850.

... his ... 1822.

The text of 1857 (edited by Mr. Carter) returned to that of 1822.

[7] See "The River Duddon, a Series of Sonnets" (vol. vi. p. 225).-Ed.

[8] 1827.

And of my wild Companion dared to sing,

In verse that moved with strictly-measured pace; 1822.

[9] See the series of "Poems dedicated to National Independence and Liberty."-Ed.

[10] 1827.

... Torrent, fiercely combating,

In victory found her natural resting-place; 1822.

[11] Compare the last sonnet of this Series (Part III. XLVII., p. 108).-Ed.

[12] 1837.

Where, ... 1822.

[13] It may not be unworthy of note that in the first edition of this sonnet Wordsworth made the stream of the Duddon masculine, that of Liberty feminine, and that of the Church neuter.-Ed.

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