The Poetical Works Of William Wordsworth

by William Angus Knight

The only poems belonging to the years 1821-2 were the "Ecclesiastical Sonnets," originally called "Ecclesiastical Sketches." These were written at intervals, from 1821 onwards, but the great majority belong to 1821. They were first published in 1822, in three parts; 102 Sonnets in all. Ten were added in the edition of 1827, several others in the years 1835 and 1836, and fourteen in 1845, -the final edition of 1850 containing 132. After Wordsworth's return from the Continent in 1820, he visited the Beaumonts at Coleorton, and as Sir George was then about to build a new Church on his property, conversation turned frequently to ecclesiastical topics, and gave rise to the idea of embodying the History of the Church of England in a series of "Ecclesiastical Sketches" in verse. The Sonnets Nos. XXXIX., XL., and XLI., in the third series, entitled, Church to be erected, and New Churchyard, are probably those to which Wordsworth refers as written first, in memory of his morning walk with Sir George Beaumont to fix the site of the Church: but it was the discussions which were being carried on in the British Parliament and elsewhere, in 1821, on the subject of Catholic Disabilities, that led him to enlarge his idea, and project a series of Sonnets dealing with the whole course of the Ecclesiastical History of his country. His brother Christopher-while Dean and Rector of Bocking, and domestic chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury-had published, in 1809, six volumes of Ecclesiastical Biography; or, the Lives of Eminent Men connected with the History of Religion in England. Southey's Book of the Church, -to which Wordsworth refers in the Fenwick note prefixed to his Sonnets-was not published till 1823; and Wordsworth says, in a note to the edition of 1822, that his own work was far advanced before he was aware that Southey had taken up the subject. As several of the Sonnets, however, are well 12 illustrated by passages in Southey's book, I have given a number of extracts from the latter work in the editorial notes. Southey, writing to C. H. Townshend, on 6th May 1821, says: "Wordsworth was with me lately. His thoughts and mine have for some time unconsciously been travelling in the same direction; for while I have been sketching a brief history of the English Church, and the systems which it has subdued or struggled with, he has been pursuing precisely the same subject in a series of sonnets, to which my volume will serve for a commentary, as completely as if it had been written with that intent." (See Life and Correspondence of R. Southey, vol. v. p. 65.) Wordsworth's own notes appended to the Sonnets, and others which are added, will show his indebtedness to such writers as Bede, Strype, Foxe, Walton, Whitaker, and Sharon Turner. The subjects of the sonnets on the "Aspects of Christianity in America" were suggested to him by Bishop Doane and Professor Henry Reed; and others in the series, dealing with offices of the English Liturgy, were also suggested by Mr. Reed.-ED.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, British Literature, Literature, Fiction, English Literature, 19th Century

480 pages, Paperback

Published August 13, 2015

About the author

William Angus Knight was a British writer, educated at the University of Edinburgh. From 1876 to 1902 he was professor of moral philosophy in the University of St. Andrews. In the field of philosophy his work, editorial and other, includes his collection of Philosophical Classics for English Readers (15 volumes, 1880–90), some of which he wrote. Although he wrote numerous publications, he is probably best known for his works on Wordsworth. His edition of Wordsworth's Works and Life (1881–89) is contained in 11 volumes. He presented to the trustees of Dove Cottage, Grasmere, the poet's former home, all the editions of Wordsworths poems which he possessed.

Reviews

[Renée · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love nature, I love romanticism, I love poetry. This book was right up my alley.

[Victoria & David Williams]

We have the 1973 Limited Editions Club edition.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

William Wordsworth’s poetry. Until now I have taken it in moderation throughout my life. Of his poetry; it is up to the reader to determine its value.

Of this book; wow! Too much for me. Page after page, line after line- although occasionally there was a brightness, even reading it aloud was brutal. I read a lot of poetry, of the masters, contemporaries, quirky and obtuse; when I completed this book a month later I was proud of myself. Not for having come to know the poetry of the man, in depth, but for having completed the reading at all.

I don’t want to discourage a poetry appreciant, or William Wordsworth aficionado, but let me suggest you purchase the book and read it in moderation over two or three years. I might have had a different view of it had I done that.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tiny book published in Essex, England in 1969. the book is printed in Belgium. It includes a small bjiography,and passages from the Prelude and poems from lyrical Ballads. The collection is chosen and published by Geoffrey Parker, Wimbish Village,near Saffron Walden, Essex, England.

It includes,poems published after the 1800's, Sonnets, The Ode (Intimations of Immortality)--uniform with this volume is a pocket book of English verse.

Beautifully appointed poems,with words that flow and inspire imagery.

[Niklas Zenius Jespersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lydkvaliteten af oplæsningen er desværre ikke vildt god, men af en ældre, ringere, kvalitet hvilket påvirker oplevelsen negativt og gør det sværere ordentligt at høre digtene. Det skal man tage forbehold for i anmeldelsen. Derudover virker digtene gode, men ikke fantastisk fængende og indsigtsfulde. Værd at læse/høre, bedre end gennemsnittet af digte, men ikke i top enden af poesien, lidt for trivielle og middelmådige. Har dog hørt en anden samling af hans digte tidligere i bedre lydkvalitet som jeg var ret glad for, så måske er det bare indspilningen der lægger en dæmper på begejstringen.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read Wordsworth's complete works, just a few selected titles. Much of his verse can be read like prose. I don't mind poems that actually convey some coherent story. Wordsworth's "Michael" is a short story written as a poem. "Prelude" is his autobiography. I'll read more of his work if I ever have time.

[Nicole Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not much of a poetry person...but I enjoyed some of these. If nothing else, I took away that Wordsworth really loves nature.

Audiobook quality: Great performances, not so great audio at times...

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening poem in this collection, "We are Seven," is a favorite.

[Joe Kinslow]

It's on my continuously reading list. When the mood strikes I pick it and read a poem.

[gemmagia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75*

I really liked most of these but someone not so much