Part III

. (see vol. vi. p. 217).--ED.

[286] Compare the sonnet, _On the sight of a Manse in the South of Scotland_, belonging to the Tour in the year 1831.--ED.

XIX

THE LITURGY

Yes, if the intensities of hope and fear Attract us still, and passionate exercise Of lofty thoughts, the way before us lies Distinct with signs, through which in set career,[287] As through a zodiac, moves the ritual year[288] 5 Of England's Church; stupendous mysteries! Which whoso travels in her bosom eyes, As he approaches them, with solemn cheer. Upon that circle traced from sacred story We only dare to cast a transient glance, 10 Trusting in hope that Others may advance With mind intent upon the King of Glory,[289] From his mild advent till his countenance Shall dissipate the seas and mountains hoary.[290]

FOOTNOTES:

[287] 1837

... fixed career, 1822.

[288] Compare _The Christian Year_, by Keble, _passim_.--ED.

[289] 1845.

Enough for us to cast a transient glance The circle through; relinquishing its story For those whom Heaven hath fitted to advance And, harp in hand, rehearse the King of Glory-- 1822.

Enough for us to cast no careless glance Upon that circle, leaving Christian story To those ... has ... C.

(Or)

Here let us cast a more than Transient glance, And harp in hand endeavour to advance, With mind intent ... C.

[290] See _The Revelation of St. John_, chapter xx. v. II.--ED.

XX

BAPTISM

Published 1827

Dear[291] be the Church, that, watching o'er the needs Of Infancy, provides a timely shower Whose virtue changes to a Christian Flower A Growth from sinful Nature's bed of weeds!--[292] Fitliest beneath the sacred roof proceeds 5 The ministration; while parental Love Looks on, and Grace descendeth from above As the high service pledges now, now pleads. There, should vain thoughts outspread their wings and fly To meet the coming hours of festal mirth, 10 The tombs--which hear and answer that brief cry, The Infant's notice of his second birth-- Recal the wandering Soul to sympathy With what man hopes from Heaven, yet fears from Earth.

FOOTNOTES:

[291] 1845.

Blest ... 1827.

[292] 1832.

The sinful product of a bed of Weeds! 1827.

XXI

SPONSORS

Published 1832

Father! to God himself we cannot give A holier name! then lightly do not bear Both names conjoined, but of thy spiritual care Be duly mindful: still more sensitive Do Thou, in truth a second Mother, strive[293] 5 Against disheartening custom, that by Thee Watched, and with love and pious industry[294] Tended at need, the adopted Plant may thrive For everlasting bloom. Benign and pure[295] This Ordinance, whether loss it would supply, 10 Prevent omission, help deficiency, Or seek to make assurance doubly sure.[296][297] Shame if the consecrated Vow be found An idle form, the Word an empty sound![298][299]

FOOTNOTES:

[293] 1832.

... yet more sensitive, More faithful, thou, a second Mother, MS.

W. W., Dec. 7, 1827.

[294] 1832.

Watched at all seasons, and with industry MS.

W. W., Dec. 7, 1827.

[295] 1832.

... Benign must be. MS.

W. W., Dec. 7, 1827.

[296] Compare _Macbeth_, act IV. scene i. l. 83.--ED.

[297] 1832.

... "Assurance doubly sure." MS.

W. W., Dec. 7, 1827.

[298] 1832.

... the Name an empty sound. MS.

W. W., Dec. 7, 1827.

[299] This Sonnet was sent by Wordsworth in holograph MS. to Orton Hall in the form indicated in the footnotes, dated Dec. 7, 1827.--ED.

XXII

CATECHISING

From Little down to Least, in due degree, Around the Pastor, each in new-wrought vest, Each with a vernal posy at his breast, We stood, a trembling, earnest Company! With low soft murmur, like a distant bee, 5 Some spake, by thought-perplexing fears betrayed; And some a bold unerring answer made: How fluttered then thy anxious heart for me, Belovèd Mother! Thou whose happy hand Had bound the flowers I wore, with faithful tie:[300] 10 Sweet flowers! at whose inaudible command Her countenance, phantom-like, doth re-appear: O lost too early for the frequent tear, And ill requited by this heartfelt sigh!

FOOTNOTES:

[300] See Wordsworth's reference to his Mother in his _Autobiographical Memoranda_.--ED.

XXIII

CONFIRMATION

Published 1827

The Young-ones gathered in from hill and dale, With holiday delight on every brow: 'Tis passed away; far other thoughts prevail; For they are taking the baptismal Vow Upon their conscious selves; their own lips speak 5 The solemn promise. Strongest sinews fail, And many a blooming, many a lovely, cheek Under the holy fear of God turns pale; While on each head his lawn-robed servant lays An apostolic hand, and with prayer seals 10 The Covenant. The Omnipotent will raise Their feeble Souls; and bear with _his_ regrets, Who, looking round the fair assemblage, feels That ere the Sun goes down their childhood sets.

XXIV

CONFIRMATION CONTINUED

I saw a Mother's eye intensely bent Upon a Maiden trembling as she knelt; In and for whom the pious Mother felt Things that we judge of by a light too faint: Tell, if ye may, some star-crowned Muse, or Saint! 5 Tell what rushed in, from what she was relieved-- Then, when her Child the hallowing touch received, And such vibration through[301] the Mother went That tears burst forth amain. Did gleams appear? Opened a vision of that blissful place 10 Where dwells a Sister-child? And was power given Part of her lost One's glory back to trace Even to this Rite? For thus _She_ knelt, and, ere The summer-leaf had faded, passed to Heaven.[302]

FOOTNOTES:

[301] 1837.

... to ... 1827.

[302] Compare the tribute to a Daughter, who died within the year after her confirmation, in _A Presbyterian Clergyman looking for the Church_, by the Rev. Flavel S. Mines, p. 95.--ED.

XXV

SACRAMENT

Published 1827

By chain yet stronger must the Soul be tied: One duty more, last stage of[303] this ascent, Brings to thy food, mysterious[304] Sacrament! The Offspring, haply at the Parent's side; But not till They, with all that do abide 5 In Heaven, have lifted up their hearts to laud And magnify the glorious name of God, Fountain of Grace, whose Son for sinners died. Ye, who have duly weighed the summons, pause No longer; ye,[305] whom to the saving rite 10 The Altar calls; come early under laws That can secure for you a path of light Through gloomiest shade; put on (nor dread its weight) Armour divine, and conquer in your cause!

FOOTNOTES:

[303] 1827.

... to ... Coleorton MS.

[304] 1845.

... memorial ... 1827.

[305] 1845.

Here must my Song in timid reverence pause: But shrink not ye ... 1827.

XXVI

THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY[306]

Composed 1842.--Published 1845

The Vested Priest before the Altar stands; Approach, come gladly, ye prepared, in sight Of God and chosen friends, your troth to plight With the symbolic ring, and willing hands[307] Solemnly joined. Now sanctify the bands, 5 O Father!--to the Espoused thy blessing give, That mutually assisted they may live Obedient, as here taught, to thy commands. So prays the Church, to consecrate a Vow "The which would endless matrimony make";[308] 10 Union that shadows forth and doth partake A mystery potent human love to endow With heavenly, each more prized for the other's sake; Weep not, meek Bride! uplift thy timid brow.

FOOTNOTES:

[306] In a letter to Professor Henry Reed, dated "Rydal Mount, Sept. 4, 1842," Wordsworth says: "A few days ago, after a very long interval, I returned to poetical composition; and my first employment was to write a couple of Sonnets upon subjects recommended by you to take place in the Ecclesiastical Series. They are upon the Marriage Ceremony and the Funeral Service. I have, about the same time, added two others, both upon subjects taken from the Services of our Liturgy."--ED.

[307] 1842.

Together they kneel down who come in sight Of God and chosen friends their troth to plight. This have they done, by words, and prayers, and hands c.

XXVII

THANKSGIVING AFTER CHILDBIRTH

Composed 1842.--Published 1845

Woman! the Power who left his throne on high, And deigned to wear the robe of flesh we wear, The Power that thro' the straits of Infancy Did pass dependent on maternal care, His own humanity with Thee will share, 5 Pleased with the thanks that in his People's eye Thou offerest up for safe Delivery From Childbirth's perilous throes. And should the Heir Of thy fond hopes hereafter walk inclined To courses fit to make a mother rue 10 That ever he was born, a glance of mind Cast upon this observance may renew A better will; and, in the imagined view Of thee thus kneeling, safety he may find.

FOOTNOTES:

[308] Compare Spenser's _Epithalamion_, stanza xl. ll. 216, 217--

The sacred ceremonies these partake, The which do endlesse matrimony make;

Also, Southey's _All for Love, or a sinner well saved_,