In a letter to Southey (unpublished), Wordsworth refers to her death, and adds: “I saw her within an hour after her decease, in the silence and peace of death, with as heavenly an expression on her countenance as ever human creature had. Surely there is food for faith in these appearances: for myself, I can say that I have passed a wakeful night, more in joy than in sorrow, with that blessed face before my eyes perpetually as I lay in bed.” TO A REDBREAST--(IN SICKNESS) Published 1842 [Almost the only verses by our lamented sister Sara Hutchinson.--I.F.] One of the “Miscellaneous Poems.”--ED. Stay, little cheerful Robin! stay, And at my casement sing, Though it should prove a farewell lay And this our parting spring. Though I, alas! may ne’er enjoy 5 The promise in thy song; A charm, _that_ thought can not destroy, Doth to thy strain belong. Methinks that in my dying hour Thy song would still be dear, 10 And with a more than earthly power My passing Spirit cheer. Then, little Bird, this boon confer, Come, and my requiem sing, Nor fail to be the harbinger 15 Of everlasting Spring. S.H. 1837 The poems belonging to the year 1837 include the “Memorials of a Tour in Italy” with Henry Crabb Robinson in that year, and one or two additional sonnets.--ED. “SIX MONTHS TO SIX YEARS ADDED HE REMAINED” Published 1837 One of the “Epitaphs and Elegiac Pieces.”--ED. Six months to six years added he remained Upon this sinful earth, by sin unstained: O blessed Lord! whose mercy then removed A Child whom every eye that looked on loved; Support us, teach us calmly to resign 5 What we possessed, and now is wholly thine![59] [59] This refers to the poet’s son Thomas, who died December 1, 1812. He was buried in Grasmere churchyard, beside his sister Catherine; and Wordsworth placed these lines upon his tombstone. They may have been written much earlier than 1836, probably in 1813, but it is impossible to ascertain the date, and they were not published till 1837.--ED. MEMORIALS OF A TOUR IN ITALY 1837 Composed 1837.--Published 1842