Wordsworth dated this poem 1806, and said to Miss Fenwick that it was written at Grasmere. If it was written "during a boisterous winter evening" in 1806, it could not have been written at Grasmere; because the Wordsworths spent most of that winter at Coleorton. I am inclined to believe that the date which the poet gave is wrong, and that the _Address_ really belongs to the year 1805; but, as it is just possible that--although referring to winter--it may have been written at Town-end in the summer of 1806, it is placed among the poems belonging to the latter year. This _Address_ was translated into French by Mme. Amable Tastu, and published in a popular school-book series of extracts, but Wordsworth's name is not given along with the translation. From 1815 to 1843 the authorship was veiled under the title, "by a female Friend of the Author." In 1845, it was disclosed, "by my Sister." In 1815 Charles Lamb wrote to Wordsworth, "We were glad to see the poems 'by a female friend.' The one of the Wind is masterly, but not new to us. Being only three, perhaps you might have clapt a D. at the corner, and let it have past as a printer's mark to the uninitiated, as a delightful hint to the better instructed. As it is, expect a formal criticism on the poems of your female friend, and she must expect it." (_The Letters of Charles Lamb_, edited by Alfred Ainger, vol. i. p. 285.)--ED. VARIANTS: [1] 1845. ... rings ... 1815. [2] 1827. ... for ... 1815. [3] 1827. ... --hush! that half-stifled knell, Methinks 'tis the sound ... 1815. "BROOK! WHOSE SOCIETY THE POET SEEKS" Composed 1806?--Published 1815 One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED. Brook! whose society the Poet seeks, Intent his wasted spirits to renew; And whom the curious Painter doth pursue Through rocky passes, among flowery creeks, And tracks thee dancing down thy water-breaks; 5 If wish were mine some type of thee to view,[1] Thee, and not thee thyself, I would not do Like Grecian Artists, give thee human cheeks, Channels for tears; no Naiad should'st thou be,-- Have neither limbs, feet, feathers, joints nor hairs: 10 It seems the Eternal Soul is clothed in thee With purer robes than those of flesh and blood, And hath bestowed on thee a safer good;[2] Unwearied joy, and life without its cares. VARIANTS: [1] 1827. If I some type of thee did wish to view, 1815. [2] 1845. ... a better good; 1815. "THERE IS A LITTLE UNPRETENDING RILL" Composed 1806?--Published 1820