The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 1 (of 8) · Chapter 16Simon Lee, the Old Huntsman
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with an incident in which he was concerned.
This old man had been huntsman to the Squires of Alfoxden, which, at the time we occupied it, belonged to a minor. The old man's cottage stood upon the Common, a little way from the entrance to Alfoxden Park. But it had disappeared. Many other changes had taken place in the adjoining village, which I could not but notice with a regret more natural than well-considered. Improvements but rarely appear such to those who, after long intervals of time, revisit places they have had much pleasure in. It is unnecessary to add, the fact was as mentioned in the poem; and I have, after an interval of forty-five years, the image of the old man as fresh before my eyes as if I had seen him yesterday. The expression when the hounds were out, 'I dearly love their voice,' was word for word from his own lips.—I. F.
This poem was classed among those of "Sentiment and Reflection."—Ed.
Variant 1:
Variant 2:
In editions 1798 to 1815 the following is inserted:
Of years he has upon his back, No doubt, a burthen weighty; He says he is three score and ten, But others say he's eighty. A long blue livery-coat has he, That's fair behind, and fair before; Yet, meet him where you will, you see At once that he is poor.
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The fourth stanza of the final edition being second in 1827, and the second stanza being third in 1827.
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Variant 7:
Of strength, of friends, and kindred, see.
In MS. letter to Allan Cunningham, Nov. 1828.
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Variant 9:
The text of 1832 reverts to that of 1798.
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Footnote A:
Note that the phrase: 'But oh the heavy change,' occurs in Milton's
Lycidas
. (Professor Dowden.) See
Lycidas
, l. 37.—Ed.
Footnote B:
Compare Shakspeare's Sonnet, No. xxx.:
When to the sessions of sweet silent thought I summon up remembrance of things past;
and in Spenser's
An epitaph upon the Right Honourable Sir Phillip Sidney, Knight; Lord governor of Flushing.
Farewell, self-pleasing thoughts, which quietness brings forth.
Ed.
Footnote C:
See
to this volume.—Ed.