_Tuesday, 6th July._-- ... We set off towards Rydale for letters. The rain met us at the top of the White Moss, and it came on very heavily afterwards. It drove past Nab Scar in a substantial shape, as if going to Grasmere was as far as it could go.... The swallows have completed their beautiful nest.... _Wednesday, 7th._-- ... Walked on the White Moss. Glow-worms. Well for them children are in bed when they shine. _Thursday, 8th._-- ... When I was coming home, a post-chaise passed with a little girl behind in a patched, ragged cloak. In the afternoon, after we had talked a little, William fell asleep. I read the _Winter's Tale_; then I went to bed, but did not sleep. The swallows stole in and out of their nest, and sate there, _whiles_ quite still, _whiles_ they sung low for two minutes or more, at a time just like a muffled robin. William was looking at _The Pedlar_ when I got up. He arranged it, and after tea I wrote it out--280 lines.... The moon was behind. William hurried me out in hopes that I should see her. We walked first to the top of the hill to see Rydale. It was dark and dull, but our own vale was very solemn--the shape of Helm Crag was quite distinct, though black. We walked backwards and forwards on the White Moss path; there was a sky-like white brightness on the lake. The Wyke cottage right at the foot of Silver How. Glow-worms out, but not so numerous as last night. O, beautiful place! Dear Mary, William. The hour is come ... I must prepare to go. The swallows, I must leave them, the wall, the garden, the roses, all. Dear creatures! they sang last night after I was in bed; seemed to be singing to one another, just before they settled to rest for the night. Well, I must go. Farewell.[71] [Footnote 71: Several of the poems, referred to in this Journal, are difficult, if not impossible, to identify. _The Inscription of the Pathway_, finished on the 28th of August 1800; _The Epitaph_, written on the 28th January 1801; _The Yorkshire Wolds poem_, referred to on March 10th, 1802; also _The Silver Howe poem_, and that known in the Wordsworth household as _The Tinker_. It is possible that some of them were intentionally suppressed. The _Inscription of the Pathway_ and _The Tinker_ will, however, soon be published.--ED.] VI DOROTHY WORDSWORTH'S JOURNAL WRITTEN AT GRASMERE (9TH JULY 1802 TO 11TH JANUARY 1803) EXTRACTS FROM DOROTHY WORDSWORTH'S JOURNAL (9TH JULY 1802 TO 11TH JANUARY 1803)