Egremont Castle, to which this Cumberland tradition was transferred, is close to the town of Egremont, an ancient borough on the river Ehen, not far from St. Bees. The castle was founded about the beginning of the twelfth century, by William, brother of Ranulph de Meschines, who bestowed on William the whole of the extensive barony of Copeland. The gateway of the castle is vaulted with semi-circular arches, and defended by a strong tower. Westward from the castle area is an ascent to three narrow gates, standing in a line, and close together. These communicated with the outworks, each being defended by a portcullis. Beyond the gates is an artificial mound, seventy-eight feet above the moat; and on this stood an ancient circular tower. (See a description of the castle in Britton and Brayley's _Cumberland_.) The river Dacor, or Dacre, referred to in Wordsworth's note, joins the Emont a short way below Ullswater; and the hall of Hutton John, which in the reign of Edward III. belonged to the barony of Graystock, passed in the time of Elizabeth to the Huddlestones. The famous Catholic father, John Huddlestone, chaplain to Charles II. and James II., was of this family. In the edition of 1815, there is the following footnote to the title of the poem:--"This Poem and the Ballad which follows it" (it was that of _Goody Blake and Harry Gill_), "as they rather refer to the imagination than are produced by it, would not have been placed here" (_i.e._ among the "Poems of the Imagination"), "but to avoid a needless multiplication of the Classes." The text of 1807 underwent no change until 1845. But--as is shown by the notes in the late Lord Coleridge's copy of the edition of 1836--the alterations subsequently adopted in 1845 were made in the interval between these years.--ED. VARIANTS: [1] C. and 1845. When the Brothers reach'd the gateway, Eustace pointed with his lance To the Horn which there was hanging; Horn of the inheritance. 1807. When the Brothers reached the gateway, With their followers old and young, To the Horn Sir Eustace pointed That for ages there had hung. C. [2] C. and 1845. Heirs from ages without record 1807. [3] C. and 1845. Who of right had claim'd the Lordship By the proof upon the Horn: 1807. ... held ... Claimed by proof ... C. [4] C. and 1845. From the Castle forth they went. 1807. [5] _Italics_ were first used in 1815. [6] 1845. He has nothing ... 1807. [7] C. and 1845. For the sound was heard by no one Of the proclamation-horn. 1807. [8] 1807. ... slipped away. MS. A COMPLAINT Composed 1806.--Published 1807