riant 4:

1842.

... whose words ... 1841.]

[Variant 5:

1842.

With a soft voice, ... 1841.]

[Variant 6:

1842.

... mine ... 1841.]

[Variant 7: The "even" of 1841 is evidently a misprint.]

[Variant 8:

1842.

... too light; 1841.]

* * * * *

FOOTNOTES ON THE TEXT

[Footnote A: In 'The Poems of Geoffrey Chaucer Modernised'. It is an
extract from 'Troilus and Cressida', book v. ll. 518-686.--Ed.]

[Footnote B:

"Chaucer's text is:

'And therwithalle his meynye for to blende
A cause he fonde in toune for to go.'

'His meynye for to blende,' i. e. to keep his household or his
domestics in the dark. But Wordsworth writes:

'And therewithal to cover his _intent_,'

possibly mistaking 'meynye' for 'meaning'."

(Professor Dowden, in the 'Transactions of the Wordsworth Society', No.
III.)--Ed.]

[Footnote C:

"When Troilus sees the shut windows and desolate aspect of his lady's
house, his face grows blanched, and he rides past in haste, so fast,
says Wordsworth,

'That no wight his continuance espied.'

But in Chaucer he rides fast that his white face may not be noticed:

'And as God wolde he gan so faste ride
That no wight of his countenance espied.'"

(Professor Dowden, in the 'Transactions of the Wordsworth Society', No.
III.)--Ed.]

[Footnote D: In Chaucer "werreyed" = warred on = fought against.--Ed.]

[Footnote E:

"'Toward my death with wind I steer and sail.'

This is Urry's version, but Chaucer's text is,

'Toward my death, with wind _in stern_ I sail,'

Troilus' bark careering towards death, with all sails set, before a
fierce stern-wind."

(Professor Dowden, in the 'Transactions of the Wordsworth Society', No.
III.)--Ed.]

[Footnote F: In Chaucer "aboute" = around.--Ed.]

* * * * *

1802

The Lyrical Ballads and Sonnets which follow were written
in 1802; but during that year Wordsworth continued mainly to
work at 'The Excursion', as the following extracts from his sister's
Journal indicate:

"Feb. 1, 1802.--William worked hard at 'The Pedlar,' and tired
himself.

2nd Feb.--Wm. worked at 'The Pedlar.' I read aloud the 11th book of
'Paradise Lost'.

Thursday, 4th.--William thought a little about 'The Pedlar.'

5th.--Wm. sate up late at 'The Pedlar.'

7th.