[Footnote GH: "Ulpha Kirk is situated on a rock, the base of which is washed by the Duddon. From time immemorial its walls have been whitewashed, so that on a sunny day it _literally_ 'shines' from its exalted position. It is best seen from the hay-fields on the left bank just above Ulpha Bridge. These fields lie low, and the church perched on its rock seems lifted higher than from any other point of view. When I visited Ulpha in the summer of 1882 I found the carpenters at work restoring it, and since then a new belfry has been erected, and the tiny white porch has been replaced by a larger one of wood. But I saw it in 1881, when the interior, as well as the exterior, still kept the appearance which it wore in Wordsworth's day. The pulpit (with sounding-board) was in the middle of one side, and to the right hand thereof were a magnificent lion-and-unicorn, and 'G. III. R.' The font was up against the wall, with a ladder hung above it. There was no vestry; the surplice was kept in a cupboard near the door, and the clergyman donned and doffed it behind a screen which only partially hid him. The pews were square and high, and the people sat all round them, with their backs to all four points of the compass; but when the hymn was sung they all turned with their backs to the altar and their faces to the choir." (Herbert Rix.) * * * * * "The last line of this sonnet is a good instance of Wordsworth's very close observation. The little churchyard has lately had an addition made to it. Any one going into the new part of the churchyard will be less able to understand the accuracy of the last line." (H. D. Rawnsley.)] XXXII "NOT HURLED PRECIPITOUS FROM STEEP TO STEEP" Not hurled precipitous from steep to steep; Lingering no more 'mid flower-enamelled lands And blooming thickets; nor by rocky bands Held; but in radiant progress toward the Deep Where mightiest rivers into powerless sleep 5 Sink, and forget their nature--_now_ expands Majestic Duddon, over smooth flat sands[GI] Gliding in silence with unfettered sweep! Beneath an ampler sky a region wide Is opened round him:--hamlets, towers, and towns, And blue-topped hills, behold him from afar; 11 In stately mien to sovereign Thames allied Spreading his bosom under Kentish downs, With commerce freighted, or triumphant war.[GJ] FOOTNOTES: [Footnote GI: Compare Michael Drayton-- But southward sallying hence, to those sea-bordering Lands, Where _Duddon_ driving down to the _Lancastrian_ Sands, This _Cumberland_ cuts out, etc. _Poly-olbion_. The thirtieth song.--ED. ] [Footnote GJ: "This sonnet was probably written from some rare vantage ground or view as is obtained of the last reaches of the Duddon In radiant progress toward the Deep, from the crest of a hill immediately above Broughton.