Lines Written on a Blank Leaf in a Copy of the Author's Poem 'the Excursion,'
Lines Written on a Blank Leaf in a Copy of the Author's Poem 'the Excursion,' - context Summary
Composed for a Vicar's Death
This short commemorative piece records Wordsworth’s reaction to the death of the vicar of Kendal, a man he respected. The speaker admits reluctance to make the loss public but finds consolation in a book the vicar, named Murfitt, read gratefully. The poem frames the vicar’s reading of an "unfinished Song" as a spiritual benefit, suggesting that the joy of appreciating poetry accompanies the faithful from earth to heaven.
Read Complete AnalysesUpon Hearing Of The Death Of The Late Vicar Of Kendal TO public notice, with reluctance strong, Did I deliver this unfinished Song; Yet for one happy issue;--and I look With self-congratulation on the Book Which pious, learned, MURFITT saw and read;-- Upon my thoughts his saintly Spirit fed; He conned the new-born Lay with grateful heart-- Foreboding not how soon he must depart; Unweeting that to him the joy was given Which good men take with them from earth to heaven.
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