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William Wordsworth

Helen Darbishire and Ernest De Selincourt (eds), The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, Vol. 3: Miscellaneous Sonnets; Memorials of Various Tours; Poems to National Independence and Liberty; The Egyptian Maid; The River Duddon Series; The White Doe and Other Narrative Poems; Ecclesiastical Sonnets (Second Edition)

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Editor’s NoteEditor’s NoteVIIIcomposed among the ruins of a castle in north wales

[Composed probably September, 1824.—Published 1827.]

  • 1Through shattered galleries, 'mid roofless halls,
  • 2Wandering with timid footsteps oft betrayed,
  • 3The Stranger sighs, nor scruples to upbraid
  • 4Old Time, though he, gentlest among the Thralls
  • 5Of Destiny, upon these wounds hath laid
  • 6His lenient touches, soft as light that falls,
  • 7From the wan Moon, upon the towers and walls,
  • 8Light deepening the profoundest sleep of shade.
  • 9Relic of Kings! Wreck of forgotten wars,
  • 10To winds abandoned and the prying stars,
  • Critical Apparatus11Time loves Thee! at his call the Seasons twine
  • 12Luxuriant wreaths around thy forehead hoar;
  • 13And, though past pomp no changes can restore,
  • 14A soothing recompence, his gift, is thine!

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Editor’s Note
p. 42. VIII. Composed among the Ruins of a Castle in N. Wales: This and the following two sonnets celebrate W.'s tour in N. Wales August–Sept. 1824, with his wife and daughter, and his friend Jones. For a prose account of it v. L.Y., pp. 150–5. The MS. of this sonnet is in the same book as that of II. ix (q.v. note).
Critical Apparatus
VII. 11–12 so 1827:
  • Meanwhile between these Poplars, as they wave
  • Their lofty summits, comes etc. 1822
  • And even as those lofty poplars wave
  • Their parting summits opens out a sky MS.
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