Delphi Complete Works of William Wordsworth

by William Wordsworth

  Friday (14th). I had a bad head-ach. Much wind but a sweet mild morning. I nailed up trees. Sent Molly Ashburner to excuse us to Lloyds. 2 letters from Coleridge — very ill. One from Sara H, one from S Lothian — I wrote to S Hutchinson & received 3£ from her.

  Saturday Morning (15th). A terrible rain so Wm prevented from going to Coleridges. The afternoon fine & mild I walked to the top of the hill for a head-ach. We both set forward at 5 ³ clock after tea — a fine wild but not cold night. I walked with him over the Rays — it was starlight. I parted with him very sad unwilling not to go on. The hills & the stars & the white waters with their ever varying yet ceaseless sound were very impressive. I supped at the Simpsons. Mr S. walked home with me.

  Sunday 16th November. A very fine warm sunny morning, a Letter from Coleridge & one from Stoddart — Coleridge better —— My head aching very much I sent to excuse myself to Lloyds — then walked to the Cottage beyond Mr Gell’s. One beautiful ash tree sheltered with yellow leaves — one low one quite green — some low ashes green — A noise of boys in the rocks hunting some animal. Walked a little in the garden when I came home, very pleasant. Now rain came on. Mr Jackson called in the evening when I was at tea brought me a letter from C & W — C better.

  Monday Morning (17th). A fine clear frosty morning with a sharp wind. I walked to Keswick, set off at 5 minutes past 10, & arrived at ½ past 2. I found them all well.

  On Tuesday morning W & C set off towards Penrith. Wm met Sara Hutchinson at Threlkeld — they arrived at Keswick at tea-time.

  Wednesday (19th). We walked by the lake side & they went to Mr Denton’s. I called upon the Miss Cockyns.

  Thursday (20th). We spent the morning in the Town. Mr Jackson & Mr Peach dined with us.

  Friday (21st). A very fine day. Went to Mrs Greaves. Mrs C & I called upon the Speddings — a beautiful Crescent moon.

  Saturday Morning (22nd). After visiting Mr Peaches Chinese pictures we set off to Grasmere — a threatening & rather rainy morning. Arrived at G — very dirty & a little wet at the closing in of Evening. Wm not quite well.

  Sunday (23rd). Wm not well. I baked bread & pie for dinner. Sarah & I walked after dinner & met Mr Gawthorpe, paid his bill & he drank tea with us paid 5£ for Mr Bousfield.

  Monday (24th). A fine morning. Sara & I walked to Rydale. After dinner we went to Lloyds & drank tea & supped — a sharp cold night with sleet & snow. I had the tooth-ach in the night — took Laudanum.

  Tuesday (25th). Very ill — in bed all day — better in the Evening I read Tom Jones — very sleepy slept all night.

  Wednesday (26th). Well in the morning — Wm very well. We had a delightful walk up into Eastdale. The Tops of the Mountains covered with snow — frosty & sunny — the roads slippery A letter from Mary. The Lloyds drank tea. We walked with them near to Ambleside, a beautiful moonlight night — Sara & I walked before home, — William very well & highly poetical.

  Thursday 27th November. Wrote to Tom Hutchinson to desire him to bring Mary with him from Stockton — a thaw & the ground covered with snow. Sara & I walked before dinner.

  Friday (28th). Coleridge walked over. Miss Simpson drank tea with us. William walked home with her. Coleridge was very unwell — he went to bed before Wm’s return. Great Boils upon his neck.

  Saturday (29th). A fine day.

  Sunday 29th November (30th). A very fine clear morning. Snow upon the ground everywhere. Sara & I walked towards Rydale by the upper road & were obliged to return — because of the snow walked by moonlight.

  Monday (1st). A thaw in the night & the snow was entirely gone. Sara & I had a delightful walk by the upper Rydale Road & Mr King’s. Coleridge unable to go home for his health. We walked by moonlight. Baking day little loaves.

  Tuesday December 2nd. — A Rainy morning — Coleridge was obliged to set off. Sara & I met C Lloyd & P — turned back with them. I walked round the 2 lakes with Charles very pleasant — passing lights — I was sadly wet when we came home & very cold. Priscilla drank tea with us — we all walked to Ambleside — a pleasant moonlight evening but not clear. Supped upon a hare — it came on a terrible evening hail & wind & cold & rain.

  Wednesday December 3rd. We lay in bed till 11 o clock. Wrote to John & MH — William & Sara & I walked to Rydale after tea — a very fine frosty night. Sara & W walked round the other side — I was tired & returned home. We went to bed early.

  Thursday (4th). Coleridge came in just as we finished dinner — Pork from the Simpsons. Sara & I walked round the 2 lakes — a very fine morning. C. ate nothing to cure his boils. We walked after tea by moonlight to look at Langdale covered with snow — the pikes not grand, but the old man very impressive — cold & slippery but exceedingly pleasant. Sat up till ½ past one.

  Friday Morning (5th). Terribly cold & rainy Coleridge & Wm set forward towards Keswick but the wind in Coleridge’s eyes made him turn back. Sara & I had a grand bread & cake baking we were very merry in the evening but grew sleepy soon tho’ we did not go to bed till 12 o clock.

  Saturday (6th). Wm accompanied Coleridge to the foot of the Rays — a very pleasant morning — Sara & I accompanied him half way to Keswick. Thirlemere was very beautiful — even more so than in summer. William was not well had laboured unsuccessfully. Charles Lloyd had called. Sara & I drank tea with Mrs Simpson. A sharp shower met us — it rained a little when we came home. Mr BS accompanied us — Miss S at Ambleside. William tired & not well. A letter from MH.

  Sunday (7th). A fine morning. I read. Sara wrote to Hartley, Wm to Mary, I to Mrs C. We walked just before dinner to the Lake-side & found out a seat in a tree windy but pleasant. Sara & Wm walked to the waterfalls at Rydale. I was unwell & went to bed till 8 o clock — a pleasant mild evening. Went to bed at 12. Miss Simpson called.

  Monday 8th December. A sweet mild morning — I wrote to Mrs Cookson & Miss Griffith.

  Tuesday 9th. I dined at Lloyds — Wm drank tea walked home a pleasant starlight frosty evening — reached home at one o clock. Wm finished his poem today.

  Wednesday 10th. Walked to Keswick. Snow upon the ground. A very fine day ate bread & ale at John Stanley’s. Found Coleridge better. Stayed at Keswick till Sunday 14th December.

  Monday (15th). Baking & starching.

  Tuesday (16th). Ironing — the Lloyds called.

  Wednesday (17th). A very fine day — Writing all the morning for William.

  Thursday (18th). Mrs Coleridge & Derwent came — sweeping chimneys.

  Friday (19th). Baking.

  Saturday (20th). Coleridge came — very ill rheumatic, feverish. Rain — incessantly.

  Monday (22nd). S & Wm went to Lloyds. Wm dined, it rained very hard when he came home at…

  PART II. 10 OCTOBER 1801 - 14 FEBRUARY, 1802

  Saturday 10th October 1801. Coleridge went to Keswick after we had built Sara’s seat.

  Sunday 11th. Mr & Miss Simpson came in after tea & supped with us.

  Monday 12th. We drank tea at Mr Simpson’s.

  Tuesday 13th. A thorough wet day.

  Thursday 15th. We dined at Mr Luffs — a rainy morning. Coleridge came into Mr L’s while we were at dinner. Wm & I walked up Loughrigg Fell then by the waterside. I held my head under a spout very sick & ill when I got home — went to bed in the sitting room took laudanum.

  Friday 16th. Tom Hutchinson came — it rained almost all day — Coleridge poorly.

  Saturday 17th. We walked into Easedale. Coleridge poorly after dinner.

  Sunday 18th. I have forgotten.

  Monday 19th. Coleridge went home. Tom & William walked to Rydale a very fine day. I was ill in bed all day. Mr Simpson tea & supper.

  Tuesday 20th. We went to the Langdales & Colleth a very fine day — a heavy shower in the afternoon in Langdale.

  Wednesday 21st. Dined at Bowness, slept at penny bridge — in danger of being cast away on Windermere. A very fine day, but windy a little — a moonlight night.

  Thursday 22nd. Breakfasted at Penny Bridge dined at Coniston — a
grand stormy day — drank tea at home.

  Friday 23rd. A sweet delightful morning. I planted all sorts of plants, Tom helped me. He & W then rode to Hawkshead. I baked bread & pies. Tom brought me 2 shrubs from Mr Curwen’s nursery.

  Saturday 24th. Attempted Fairfield but misty & we went no further than Green Head Gill to the sheepfold — mild misty beautiful soft. Wm & Tom put out the Boat brought the coat from Mr Luffs. Mr Simpson came in at dinner-time — drank tea with us & played at cards.

  Sunday 25th. Rode to Legberthwaite with Tom — expecting Mary — sweet day — went upon Helvellyn, glorious glorious sights — The sea at Cartmel — The Scotch mountains beyond the sea to the right — Whiteside large & round & very soft & green behind us. Mists above & below & close to us, with the Sun amongst them — they shot down to the coves. Left John Stanely’s at 10 minutes past 12 returned thither ¼ past 4 — drank tea ate heartily — before we went on Helvellyn we got bread & cheese — paid 4/- for the whole — reached home at 9 o clock a soft grey evening — the light of the moon but she did not shine on us.

  Monday 26th October. Omitted. They went to Buttermere.

  Tuesday 27th October. Omitted, drank tea at Mr Simpsons.

  Wednesday 28th. The Clarksons came.

  Thursday 29th. Rain all day.

  Friday 30th. Rain all day.

  Saturday 31st. We walked to Rydale a soft & mild morning but threatening for rain.

  Sunday Nov(embe)r 1st. Very cold — we walked in the evening to Butterlip How.

  Monday 2nd. Very rainy.

  Tuesday 3rd. We dined at Lloyds cold & clear day.

  Wedenesday 4th. Mr C & Wm rode out — very cold.

  Thursday (5th). (The Clarksons) left us.

  Friday (6th). (Coleridge) came.

  (Monday 9th.) (Walked with Coleridge to Keswick.) … the mountains for ever varying, now hid in the Clouds & now with their tops visible while perhaps they were half concealed below — Legberthwaite beautiful. We ate Bread & Cheese at John Stanleys & reached Keswick without fatigue just before Dark. We enjoyed ourselves in the study & were at home. Supped at Mr Jacksons. Mary & I sate in C’s room a while.

  Tuesday 10th. Poor C left us & we came home together. We left Keswick at 2 o’clock & did not arrive at G till 9 o clock — drank tea at John Stanleys very comfortably. I burnt myself with Coleridge’s Aquafortis. Mary’s feet sore. C had a sweet day for his ride — every sight & every sound reminded me of him dear dear fellow — of his many walks to us by day & by night — of all dear things. I was melancholy & could not talk, but at last I eased my heart by weeping — nervous blubbering says William. It is not so — O how many, many reasons have I to be anxious for him.

  Wednesday 11th. Baked bread & giblet pie put books in order — mended stockings, put aside dearest C’s letters & now at about 7 o’clock we are all sitting by a nice fire — W with his book & a Candle & Mary writing to Sara.

  Thursday 12th. A beautiful still sunshiny morning. We rose very late. I put the rag Boxes into order. We walked out while the Goose was roasting — we walked to the top of the Hill. M & I followed Wm he was walking upon the Turf between John’s Grove & the Lane — it was a most sweet noon — we did not go into John’s Grove but we walked among the Rocks & there we sate. Mr Olliff passed Mary & me upon the Road Wm still among the Rocks. The Lake beautiful from the Orchard. Wm & I walked out before tea — The Crescent moon — we sate in the Slate quarry I sate there a long time alone. Wm reached home before me — I found them at Tea. There were a thousand stars in the Sky.

  Friday Morning (13th). Dullish, damp & cloudy — a day that promises not to dry our clothes —— We spent a happy evening — went to bed late — & had a restless night, Wm better than I expected.

  Saturday Morning (14th). Still a cloudy dull day, very dark. I lay in bed all the Day very unwell, they made me some broth & I rose better after it was dark. We spent a quiet evening by the fire.

  Sunday (15th). I walked in the morning to Churnmilk Force nearly, & went upon Heifer crags. The valley of its winter yellow, but the bed of the brook still in some places almost shaded with leaves — the oaks brown in general but one that might be almost called green — the whole prospect was very soft & the distant view down the vale very impressive, a long vale down to Ambleside — the hills at Ambleside in mist & sunshine — all else grey. We sate by the fire & read Chaucer (Thomson, Mary read) & Bishop Hall. Letters from Sara & Mrs Clarkson late at night.

  Monday 16th November. A very dankish misty, wettish morning — Mary & Molly ironed all day. I made bread & called at Mr Olliffs — Mrs O at home — the prospect soft from the windows. Mrs O observed that it was beautiful even in winter! The Luffs passed us. We walked backwards & forwards in the Church field. Wm somewhat weakish, but upon the whole pretty well — he is now at 7 o clock reading Spenser, Mary is writing beside me. The little Syke murmurs. We are quiet & happy, but poor Peggy Ashburner is very ill & in pain. She coughs as if she would cough her life away. I am going to write to Coleridge & Sara. Poor C! I hope he was in London yesterday. Molly has been very witty with Mary all day. She says ‘Ye may say what ye will but there’s nothing like a gay auld man for behaving weel to a young wife. Ye may laugh but this wind blows no favour — & where there’s no love there’s no favour.’ On Sunday I lectured little John Dawson for telling lies. I told him I had heard that he charged Jenny Baty falsely with having beaten him. Says Molly—’she says it’s not so that she never lifted hand till him, & she should speak truth you would think in her condition’ — She is with child. Two Beggars today.

  Tuesday 17th. A very rainy morning we walked into Easedale before dinner. Miss S. came in at dinner time — we went to Mr Gell’s cottage — then returned the coppices a beautiful brown the oaks having a very fine leafy shade. We stood a long time to look at the corner Birch tree, the wind was among the light thin twigs & they yielded to it this way & that. Drank tea & supped at the Simpsons a moonlight wettish night dirty roads.

  Wednesday 18th. We sate in the house in the morning reading Spenser. I was unwell & lay in bed all the afternoon. Wm & Mary walked to Rydale — very pleasant moonlight the Lakes beautiful. The church an image of Peace — Wm wrote some lines upon it. I in bed when they came home. Mary & I walked as far as Saras Gate before Supper — we stood there a long time, the whole scene impressive, the mountains indistinct the Lake calm & partly ruffled — large Island, a sweet sound of water falling into the quiet Lake. A storm was gathering in Easedale so we returned but the moon came out & opened to us the Church & village. Helm Crag in shade, the larger Mountains Dappled like a sky — we stood long upon the bridge. Wished for Wm — he had stayed at home being sickish — found him better. We went to bed.

  Thursday 19th Nov(embe)r. — A beautiful sunny, frosty morning. We did not walk all day. Wm said he would put it off till the fine moonlight night & then it came on a heavy rain & wind. Charles & Olivia Lloyd called in the morning.

  Friday 20th. I wrote to Coleridge in the morning. We walked in the morning to Easedale. In the evening we had chearful letters from Coleridge & Sara.

  Saturday 21st. We walked in the morning & payed one pound & 4d for letters. William out of spirits. We had a pleasant walk & spent a pleasant evening. There was a furious wind & cold at night. Mr Simpson drank tea with us & helped William out with the Boat. Wm & Mary walked to the Swan homewards with him. A keen clear frosty night — I went into the orchard while they were out.

  Sunday 22nd. — We wrote to Coleridge — sent our letter by the Boy. Mr & Miss Simpson came in at tea time we went with them to the Blacksmiths & returned by Butterlip How — a frost & wind with bright moonshine. The vale looked spacious & very beautiful — the level meadows seemed very large, & some nearer us, unequal ground heaving like Sand — the Cottages beautiful & quiet, we passed one near which stood a cropped ash with upright forked Branches like the Devils horns frightening a guilty conscience. We were happy & chearful when we came home — we went early to bed.

  Mo
nday 23rd. A beautiful frosty morning. Mary was making Williams woollen waistcoat. Wm unwell & did not walk. Mary & I sate in our cloaks upon the Bench in the Orchard. After dinner I went to bed unwell — Mary had a head-ach at night — we all went to bed soon.

  Tuesday 24th. A rainy morning. We all were well except that my head ached a little & I took my Breakfast in bed. I read a little of Chaucer, prepared the goose for dinner, & then we all walked out — I was obliged to return for my fur tippet & Spenser it was so cold. We had intended going to Easedale but we shaped our course to Mr Gell’s cottage. It was very windy & we heard the wind everywhere about us as we went along the Lane but the walls sheltered us — John Greens house looked pretty under Silver How — as we were going along we were stopped at once, at the distance perhaps of 50 yards from our favorite Birch tree it was yielding to the gusty wind with all its tender twigs, the sun shone upon it & it glanced in the wind like a flying sunshiny shower — it was a tree in shape with stem & branches but it was like a Spirit of water — The sun went in & it resumed its purplish appearance the twigs still yielding to the wind but not so visibly to us. The other Birch trees that were near it looked bright & chearful — but it was a Creature by its own self among them. We could not get into Mr Gells grounds — the old tree fallen from its undue exaltation above the Gate. A shower came on when we were at Bensons. We went through the wood — it became fair, there was a rainbow which spanned the lake from the Island house to the foot of Bainriggs. The village looked populous & beautiful. Catkins are coming out palm trees budding — the alder with its plumb coloured buds. We came home over the stepping stones the Lake was foamy with white waves. I saw a solitary butter flower in the wood. / found it not easy to get over the stepping stones — reached home at dinner time. Sent Peggy Ashburner some goose. She sent me some honey — with a thousand thanks—’alas the gratitude of men has &c’ I went in to set her right about this & sate a while with her. She talked about Thomas’s having sold his land—’Ay’ says she I said many a time ‘He’s not come fra London to buy our Land however’ then she told me with what pains & industry they had made up their taxes interest &c &c — how they all got up at 5 o clock in the morning to spin & Thomas carded, & that they had paid off a hundred pound of the interest. She said she used to take such pleasure in the cattle & sheep—’O how pleased I used to be when they fetched them down, & when I had been a bit poorly I would gang out upon a hill & look ower t’ fields & see them & it used to do me so much good you cannot think’ — Molly said to me when I came in ‘poor Body! she’s very ill but one does not know how long she may last. Many a fair face may gang before her.’ We sate by the fire without work for some time then Mary read a poem of Daniell upon Learning. After tea Wm read Spenser now & then a little aloud to us. We were making his waistcoat. We had a note from Mrs C, with bad news from poor C very ill. William walked to John’s grove — I went to meet him — moonlight but it rained. I met him before I had got as far as John Batys he had been surprized & terrified by a sudden rushing of winds which seemed to bring earth sky & lake together, as if the whole were going to enclose him in — he was glad that he was in a high Road.