[301] This sonnet refers to the poet’s grandchild, who died at Rome in the beginning of 1846. Wordsworth wrote of it thus to Professor Henry Reed, “_Jan. 23, 1846._ … Our daughter-in-law fell into bad health between three and four years ago. She went with her husband to Madeira, where they remained nearly a year; she was then advised to go to Italy. After a prolonged residence there, her six children (whom her husband returned to England for), went, at her earnest request, to that country, under their father’s guidance; then he was obliged, on account of his duty as a clergyman, to leave them. Four of the number resided with their mother at Rome, three of whom took a fever there, of which the youngest--as noble a boy of five years as ever was seen--died, being seized with convulsions when the fever was somewhat subdued.”--ED. “WHERE LIES THE TRUTH? HAS MAN, IN WISDOM’S CREED” Composed 1846.--Published 1850 One of the “Evening Voluntaries.”--ED. Where lies the truth? has Man, in wisdom’s creed, A pitiable doom; for respite brief A care more anxious, or a heavier grief? Is he ungrateful, and doth little heed God’s bounty, soon forgotten; or indeed, 5 Must Man, with labour born, awake to sorrow[302] When Flowers rejoice and Larks with rival speed Spring from their nests to bid the Sun good morrow? They mount for rapture as their[303] songs proclaim Warbled in hearing both of earth and sky; 10 But o’er the contrast wherefore heave a sigh? Like those aspirants let us soar--our aim, Through life’s worst trials, whether shocks or snares, A happier, brighter, purer Heaven than theirs.[304] [302] 1850. Who that lies down and may not wake to sorrow MS. [303] 1850. They mount for rapture; this their … MS. [304] This sonnet was suggested by the death of Wordsworth’s grandson commemorated in the previous sonnet, and by the alarming illness of his brother, the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and the expected death of a nephew (John Wordsworth), at Ambleside, the only son of his eldest brother, Richard.--ED. TO LUCCA GIORDANO[305] Composed 1846.--Published 1850 One of the “Evening Voluntaries.”--ED. Giordano, verily thy Pencil’s skill Hath here portrayed with Nature’s happiest grace The fair Endymion couched on Latmos-hill; And Dian gazing on the Shepherd’s face In rapture,--yet suspending her embrace, 5 As not unconscious with what power the thrill Of her most timid touch his sleep would chase, And, with his sleep, that beauty calm and still. O may this work have found its last retreat Here in a Mountain-bard’s secure abode, 10 One to whom, yet a School-boy, Cynthia showed A face of love which he in love would greet, Fixed, by her smile, upon some rocky seat; Or lured along where green-wood paths he trod.