The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 1 (of 8) · Chapter 23The Idiot Boy
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Alfoxden, 1798. The last stanza, 'The cocks did crow to-whoo, to-whoo, and the sun did shine so cold,' was the foundation of the whole. The words were reported to me by my dear friend Thomas Poole; but I have since heard the same repeated of other idiots. Let me add, that this long poem was composed in the groves of Alfoxden, almost extempore; not a word, I believe, being corrected, though one stanza was omitted. I mention this in gratitude to those happy moments, for, in truth, I never wrote anything with so much glee.—I. F.
One of the "Poems founded on the Affections."—Ed.
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Inserted in the editions 1798 to 1820.
Beneath the moon that shines so bright, Till she is tired, let Betty Foy With girt and stirrup fiddle-faddle; But wherefore set upon a saddle Him whom she loves, her idiot boy?
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Inserted in the editions 1798 to 1820.
The world will say 'tis very idle, Bethink you of the time of night; There's not a mother, no not one, But when she hears what you have done, Oh! Betty she'll be in a fright.
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Footnote A:
As Wordsworth gives the date of this poem as 1798, the above line implies that his poetical work began at least in 1784, when he was fourteen years of age. The note to
An Evening Walk
dictated to Miss Fenwick (
p. 5) implies the same.—Ed.
Sub-Footnote i:
This change was made by S. T. C.—Ed.