THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, VOL. 8 (Completed)

TO THE REV. CHRISTOPHER WORDSWORTH, D.D., MASTER OF HARROW SCHOOL [271]

After the perusal of his Theophilus Anglicanus, recently published.


Composed 1843.--Published 1845One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED.

Enlightened Teacher, gladly from thy hand

Have I received this proof of pains bestowed

By Thee to guide thy Pupils on the road

That, in our native isle, and every land,

The Church, when trusting in divine command

And in her Catholic attributes, hath trod:

O may these lessons be with profit scanned

To thy heart's wish, thy labour blest by God!

So the bright faces of the young and gay

Shall look more bright--the happy, happier still;

Catch, in the pauses of their keenest play,

Motions of thought which elevate the will

And, like the Spire that from your classic Hill

Points heavenward, indicate the end and way.

RYDAL MOUNT, Dec. 11, 1843.

[271] The poet's nephew, afterwards Canon of Westminster, and Bishop of Lincoln, and the biographer of his uncle.--ED.