[404] In his notes to the volume of Collected Sonnets (1838), Wordsworth writes:--“‘_Protest against the Ballot._’ Having in this notice alluded only in general terms to the mischief which, in my opinion, the Ballot would bring along with it, without especially branding its immoral and antisocial tendency (for which no political advantages, were they a thousand times greater than those presumed upon, could be a compensation), I have been impelled to subjoin a reprobation of it upon that score. In no part of my writings have I mentioned the name of any contemporary, that of Buonaparte only excepted, but for the purpose of eulogy; and therefore, as in the concluding verse of what follows, there is a deviation from this rule (for the blank will be easily filled up) I have excluded the sonnet from the body of the collection, and placed it here as a public record of my detestation, both as a man and a citizen, of the proposed contrivance.” Then follows the sonnet beginning-- Said Secrecy to Cowardice and Fraud. ED. “SAID SECRECY TO COWARDICE AND FRAUD” Composed, probably, in 1838.--Published 1838[405] Said Secrecy to Cowardice and Fraud, Falsehood and Treachery, in close council met, Deep under ground, in Pluto’s cabinet, “The frost of England’s pride will soon be thawed; Hooded the open brow that overawed 5 Our schemes; the faith and honour, never yet By us with hope encountered, be upset;-- For once I burst my bands, and cry, applaud!” Then whispered she, “The Bill is carrying out!” They heard, and, starting up, the Brood of Night 10 Clapped hands, and shook with glee their matted locks; All Powers and Places that abhor the light Joined in the transport, echoed back their shout, Hurrah for ----, hugging his Ballot-box![406] [405] This was first published in a note to the sonnet entitled _Protest against the Ballot_, in the volume of 1838. It was never republished by Wordsworth. [406] See the note to the previous sonnet. George Grote was the person satirised. “Since that time,” adds Mr. Reed, in a note to his American edition, “Mr. Grote’s political notoriety, as an advocate of the ballot, has been merged in the high reputation he has acquired as probably the most eminent modern historian of ancient Greece”--ED. A POET TO HIS GRANDCHILD (SEQUEL TO THE FOREGOING)[407] Published 1838