William Wordsworth

On the Departure of Sir Walter Scott from Abbotsford

. A trouble, not of clouds, or weeping rain, Nor of the setting sun's pathetic light Engendered, hangs o'er Eildon's triple height: Spirits of Power, assembled there, complain For kindred Power departing from their sight; While Tweed, best pleased in chanting a blithe strain, Saddens his voice again, and yet again. Lift up your hearts, ye Mourners! for the might Of the whole world's good wishes with him goes; Blessings and prayers in nobler retinue Than sceptred king or laurelled conqueror knows, Follow this wondrous Potentate. Be true, Ye winds of ocean, and the midland sea, Wafting your Charge to soft Parthenope! NOTES Form: sonnet: abbacaacdedeff Composition Date: Sept. 1831 1. Scott suffered a paralytic stroke in 1831, and on September 23 he left his great country house, Abbotsford, to spend the winter in Italy. On September 19-22, Wordsworth and his daughter were Scott's guests at Abbotsford. This sonnet was written within a day or two of their departure, and first published in The Literary Souvenir for 1835. 3. Eildon's triple height: the three Eildon Hills, a striking feature of the landscape near Melrose and Abbotsford. They were associated with legends of Thomas of Erceldoune. 13. the midland sea: the Mediterranean. 14. Parthenope: classical name for Naples.