On October 1, 1794, Wordsworth wrote from Keswick to
Ensign William Calvert about his brother Raisley. (The year is not given
in the letter, but it must have been 1794.) He tells him that Raisley
was determined to set out for Lisbon; but that he (Wordsworth) could not
brook the idea of his going alone; and that he wished to accompany his
friend and stay with him, till his health was re-established. He adds,
"Reflecting that his return is uncertain, your brother requests me to
inform you that he has drawn out his will, which he means to get
executed in London. The purport of his will is to leave you all his
property, real and personal, chargeable with a legacy of L600 to me, in
case that, on inquiry into the state of our affairs in London, he should
think it advisable to do so. It is at my request that this information
is communicated to you." Calvert did not live to go south; and he
changed the sum left to Wordsworth from L600 to L900. The relationship
of the two men suggests the somewhat parallel one between Spinoza and
Simon de Vries.--ED.

"METHOUGHT I SAW THE FOOTSTEPS OF A THRONE"

Composed 1806.--Published 1807

[The latter part of this sonnet was a great favourite with my sister S.
H. When I saw her lying in death, I could not resist the impulse to
compose the Sonnet that follows it.--I. F.]

One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED.

Methought I saw the footsteps of a throne
Which mists and vapours from mine eyes did shroud--
Nor view of who might sit[1] thereon allowed;
But all the steps and ground about were strown
With sights the ruefullest that flesh and bone 5
Ever put on; a miserable crowd,
Sick, hale, old, young, who cried before that cloud,
"Thou art our king, O Death! to thee we groan."
Those steps I clomb; the mists before me gave[2]
Smooth way; and I beheld the face of one 10
Sleeping alone within a mossy cave,
With her face up to heaven; that seemed to have
Pleasing remembrance of a thought foregone;
A lovely Beauty in a summer grave!

"The Sonnet that follows," referred to in the Fenwick note, is one
belonging to the year 1836, beginning--

Even so for me a Vision sanctified.

See the note to that sonnet.--ED.

VARIANTS:

[1] 1815.

... of him who sate ... 1807.

[2] 1845.

I seem'd to mount those steps; the vapours gave 1807.