The Catholic Question, which was agitated in Parliament about that time, kept my thoughts in the same course; and it struck me that certain points in the Ecclesiastical History of our Country might advantageously be presented to view in verse. Accordingly, I took up the subject, and what I now offer to the reader was the result. When this work was far advanced, I was agreeably surprised to find that my friend, Mr. Southey, had been engaged with similar views in writing a concise History of the Church _in_ England. If our Productions, thus unintentionally coinciding, shall be found to illustrate each other, it will prove a high gratification to me, which I am sure my friend will participate. W. WORDSWORTH. RYDAL MOUNT, _January 24, 1822_. For the convenience of passing from one point of the subject to another without shocks of abruptness, this work has taken the shape of a series of Sonnets: but the Reader, it is to be hoped, will find that the pictures are often so closely connected as to have jointly the effect of passages of a poem in a form of stanza to which there is no objection but one that bears upon the Poet only--its difficulty.--W. W. 1822. [2] Sir George Beaumont.--ED. [3] This occurs in all the editions. It maybe a misprint for "cheering."--ED. PART I FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY INTO BRITAIN, TO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE PAPAL DOMINION A verse may catch a wandering Soul, that flies Profounder Tracts, and by a blest surprise Convert delight into a Sacrifice.[4] FOOTNOTES: [4] Compare, in George Herbert's "The Temple," _The Church Porch_, i. 1-- A verse may find him, who a Sermon flies, And turn delight into a Sacrifice.--ED. I INTRODUCTION I, who accompanied with faithful pace[5] Cerulean Duddon from its[6] cloud-fed spring,[7] And loved with spirit ruled by his to sing Of mountain-quiet and boon nature's grace;[8] I, who essayed the nobler Stream to trace 5 Of Liberty,[9] and smote the plausive string Till the checked torrent, proudly triumphing, Won for herself a lasting resting-place;[10] Now seek upon the heights of Time the source Of a HOLY RIVER,[11]on whose banks are found 10 Sweet pastoral flowers, and laurels that have crowned Full oft the unworthy brow of lawless force; And,[12] for delight of him who tracks its course,[13] Immortal amaranth and palms abound. FOOTNOTES: [5] 1827. I, who descended with glad step to chase 1822. [6] 1850. ... his ... 1822. The text of 1857 (edited by Mr. Carter) returned to that of 1822. [7] See "The River Duddon, a Series of Sonnets" (vol. vi. p. 225).--ED. [8] 1827. And of my wild Companion dared to sing, In verse that moved with strictly-measured pace; 1822. [9] See the series of "Poems dedicated to National Independence and Liberty."--ED. [10] 1827.